CDHA’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Highlights
-
Commitment to DEI: CDHA promotes inclusive, equitable environments for members, staff, and clients.
-
Core Values: Actions are guided by Authenticity, Inclusivity, Respect, and Ethics to ensure fairness and integrity.
-
Definitions: DEI concepts support fair opportunities, safe spaces, and culturally sensitive care.
-
Support: CDHA offers education, resources, and policies to help members create inclusive practices and workplaces.
-
Get Involved: Members can access DEI tools, webinars, and initiatives to enhance understanding and skills.
In today’s interconnected world, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are
not just ethical values—they’re essential to creating an oral health care
system that works for everyone. CDHA recognizes that dental hygienists and
the individuals they care for may belong to marginalized communities and
face discrimination based on race or ethnicity, gender identity or
expression, sexual orientation, disability status, age, religion or belief
system, socioeconomic background, language, Indigenous identity or cultural
heritage. That’s why we are committed to fostering inclusive environments,
not only within our organization, but also for our members and the
communities they serve.
CDHA’s Core DEI Values
Four core pillars support this important work and guide our actions and
commitments, as outlined below:
Respect
We will encourage an environment in which each person feels valued,
that they belong, and are heard. In this environment, all voices are
heard with empathy and without judgement, respecting that they come
from health care providers and staff with diverse lived experiences.
Ethics
We will apply CDHA’s
Dental Hygienists’ Code of Ethics
and ethical principles in the DEI space and will act with integrity,
transparency, openness, and honesty.
Inclusivity
We will be intentional in acknowledging and amplifying every voice and
perspective, and in welcoming new voices that are not around the table
to enrich conversations that impact the dental hygiene profession and
our organization.
Authenticity
We will approach DEI with authenticity, recognizing that we are not
here to check boxes. We will do right by our colleagues and the
members of the dental hygiene profession we support.
Our Commitment to CDHA Members
To support our members as colleagues, CDHA is committed to working
collaboratively to inspire and empower leadership in DEI initiatives
that will create respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplaces where
everyone can thrive.
To support our members as practitioners, CDHA is committed to offering a
range of learning opportunities to enhance culturally sensitive client
care.
Our Commitment to CDHA Staff
CDHA is committed to cultivating a workplace culture that is grounded in
our core DEI values. We work collaboratively to ensure that these values
are woven into every aspect of our organization, through policies, best
practices, and education. This includes providing staff with learning
opportunities to deepen their understanding of DEI and upholding
inclusive practices in our hiring processes.
Defining What We Mean
Diversity
is found in the varied perspectives and approaches that CDHA members
and staff bring to their work. It arises from their demographics,
lived experiences, cultural heritage, and identity.
Diversity is infinite and a reality
within the profession and among those we serve.
Belonging
is the sense of safety and community that arises when an individual
feels valued, supported, and accepted. It allows people to be who
they are and express themselves freely.
Belonging is our opportunity
to enable our professionals and clients to be themselves.
Inclusion
is ensuring that policies are in place to attract and welcome
professionals from diverse backgrounds and with different areas of
expertise, to enrich the workplace and enhance care for a diverse
client population through innovative problem solving.
Inclusion is our choice
in how we welcome and value colleagues and clients with diverse
backgrounds, lived experiences, and expertise.
Equity
is offering appropriate resources and developing processes and
programs to give our members, and staff equal opportunity to thrive
professionally.
Equity is our responsibility
to ensure we support individuals in achieving equal outcomes.
Webinars and Podcasts
Explore DEI-focused webinars and podcasts promoting inclusive,
culturally responsive oral health care:
The Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene (CJDH)
Browse DEI-centred research articles to inform practice, education,
and policy to promote oral health and well-being:
Guides
Discover how to effectively use inclusive language in your work
environment.
Join Us in Building an Inclusive Future
We invite all CDHA members to engage in DEI initiatives, share their
experiences, and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable environment
for themselves, their colleagues, and the clients they serve. Together, we
can ensure that every voice is heard and every individual receives the
care and respect they deserve.
**If you or a member of your immediate family is
experiencing the effects of discrimination and needs support, CDHA’s
Member and Family Assistance Program, offered by Homewood Health, can help.