History of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (1963-Present)

2024

Thanks to CDHA’s ongoing consultations, media relations, and strategic positioning, dental hygienists have become key providers under the Canadian Dental Care Plan and were recognized by the federal government for their invaluable contribution to its successful launch in December 2023.
In the 2024 federal budget, the government committed to expanding the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program to include dental hygienists.
CDHA was awarded first place in the large association category of the IFDH Impact Awards for our government outreach and advocacy efforts to improve access to oral health care for Canadians.
The Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene (CJDH) launched a bilingual video interview series to support evidence-informed dental hygiene practice – CJDH Between the Lines.
CDHA served on the steering committee to develop Canada’s first National Oral Health Research Strategy.

2023

CDHA celebrates 60 years of advancing your profession.
Dental hygienists in the province of Prince Edward Island achieve self-regulation on March 1, 2023.
After years of advocacy by CDHA, the Health Standards Organization's new National Long-Term Care Services Standard finally includes guidelines for the delivery of resident-centered, high quality care including oral health care.
CDHA achieved 2 million YouTube views in May 2023.
CDHA's Board approves a CDHA Vision Statement for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Working collaboratively to inspire and empower leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion where everyone can thrive in the profession of dental hygiene.

2022

Dental Hygienists were named as eligible service providers in the Federal Dental Care program enacted with Bill-C-31 that received royal assent November 17, 2022
CDHA launches Policy Paper: A National Oral Health Care Plan for Canadian Seniors
CDHA hosted it's first in-person education event in a Canadian Territory. A sold-out Summit was held in Whitehorse, YT, September 30 to October 1, 2022 in conjunction with the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

2021

In January 2021, dental hygienists were recognized as essential primary health care providers through inclusion in the federal government's guidance to provinces/territories on essential services and function during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CDHA achieved 1 million YouTube views on April 4, 2021.
CDHA hosted its first-ever virtual conference on October 29 and 30, 2021. More than 2,700 dental hygienists registered for this dynamic, two-day learning opportunity

2020

On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared a global pandemic. The CDHA board responded by establishing a new End: Members have the resources to support themselves through the pandemic and to take appropriate actions to minimize risk to themselves and the public upon return to work. Highlights of the historical impact on CDHA can be found here. (français)
On January 13, 2020, the National Library of Medicine informed CDHA that the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene (CJDH) had been conditionally accepted for inclusion in MEDLINE, pending compliance with MEDLINE’s technical requirements for data transfer and preservation. Subsequent to this, CJDH was officially accepted into MEDLINE on October 6, 2020.
CDHA published three (3) position papers on the oral-systemic link in the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene. These position papers explore the state of the evidence of a causal relationship (not just an association) between periodontal disease and cardiovascular diseases (published in February); adverse pregnancy outcomes (published in June); and respiratory diseases (published in October).
CDHA hosted its first ever virtual Program Directors Symposium on November 23-24, 2020.
CDHA hosted its first virtual Annual General Meeting on October 3, 2020.
On September 24, 2020 new legislation in Quebec expands the scope of practice of dental hygienists to include independent practice.

2019

CDHA membership hit the milestone mark of over 20,000 members.
CDHA released a pivotal report outlining the scope of issues related to healthy and respectful workplaces including incidence of workplace issues related to harassment, bullying, abusive and violent behavior.
CDHA launched a Member and Family Assistance Program.

2018

CDHA, with the support of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), develops the Canadian Competencies for a Baccalaureate Oral Health Practitioner. This document presents a competency profile for 4-year baccalaureate programs designed to educate oral health practitioners with both dental hygiene and dental therapy scopes of practice.
CDHA’s board of directors endorses the position paper entitled “Effectiveness, safety, and acceptance of silver diamine fluoride therapy and its implications for dental hygiene practice.”
CDHA, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and the American Academy of Periodontology collaborate on the hosting of a dental hygiene symposium on the new AAP classification system in Vancouver. More than half of the 348 registrants are Canadian.
Cannabis becomes legal in Canada; CDHA develops and publishes a one-page cannabis fact sheet, Impaired in the Chair?
CDHA launches a new end/goal: Healthy and Respectful Workplace: Members have the resources to ensure a healthy and respectful workplace.

2017

The number of members of the Independent Practice Network reaches 1,000.
CDHA’s board endorses the position statement “Filling the Gap in Oral Health Care,” which is focused on a dental hygiene/dental therapy model.
CDHA co-hosts a sold-out global conference with the National Center for Dental Hygiene Research and Practice.
CDHA’s board of directors endorses the position statement on community water fluoridation.

2016

The Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Non-Insured Health Benefits announces that dental hygienists from all provinces where regulations permit them to practise independently can now enroll as service providers in the NIHB program.
CDHA launches two new eNewsletters: Advocacy in Action and Oral Health Product Trends
CDHA launches Pathways for Baccalaureate Dental Hygiene Education.
“Therapeutic oral rinsing with commercially available products: Position paper and statement from CDHA” is endorsed by CDHA's board of directors.

2015

CDHA relaunches its public facing website, www.dentalhygienecanada.ca, with revitalized imagery and new oral health information and resources for the general public.
CDHA launches 30-second television advertisements highlighting the work of dental hygienists on national networks CBC, Slice, Showcase, and Séries+, reaching 2.2 million people.
CDHA reaches 15,000 Facebook fans.
CDHA releases the Canadian Competencies for Baccalaureate Dental Hygiene Programs.
CDHA’s board of directors endorses the position statement on e-cigarettes.

2014

CDHA signs a contract with the Government of Nunavut to provide dental hygiene services to children ages 0 to 7 years.
CDHA’s Independent Practice Network is launched.
CDHA attends Health Minister Ambrose’s round table on the prevention of and response to family violence and child maltreatment.
CDHA reaches 10,000 Facebook fans.
CDHA publishes a professional identity statement: "I am a dental hygienist. I educate and empower Canadians to embrace their oral health for better overall health and well-being."
CDHA’s board of directors approves a position statement and practice guideline on interdental brushing and flossing.
CDHA sells its national office at 96 Centrepointe Drive and purchases a new, larger building at 1122 Wellington St. West, Ottawa.

2013

CDHA celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Close to 600 individuals attend CDHA’s national conference, Celebrating our roots…our wings, held October 3-5 at the Toronto Airport Marriott.
Revised by-laws are approved by CDHA members on Oct 5, 2013.
CDHA launches a new Employee and Family Assistance Program.
CDHA launches a 25+ year membership recognition program and awards certificates to 1,620 members.
CDHA’s Advocacy Toolkit for members is launched.

2012

CDHA launches its new quarterly online magazine, Oh Canada!
CDHA updates and republishes its Code of Ethics.
CDHA collaborates with the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College to develop a three-part webinar series on awareness and prevention of neuromuscular skeletal disorders, as well as a chair-side resource guide of stretches and warm-up exercises.
CDHA signs an agreement with the Canadian Pharmacists Association to provide all CDHA members with free access to the online, bilingual Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (e-CPS), which provides health care professionals with the most current Canadian drug information.
CDHA opens the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene to the public through free online access.
A student leadership program is launched to recruit student representatives for each recognized dental hygiene program in Canada.
CDHA’s board of directors endorses the 2012 Position Statement Update on Sports Mouthguards and launches a national public awareness campaign on the issue.

2011

Ten years of advocacy efforts pay off as the FNIHB, Non Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Alberta pilot project will continue as a regular service for NIHB eligible clients.
A successful national conference, Advancing Dental Hygiene Practice, is held in Halifax in June 2011 and attended by 226 dental hygienists.
The first Director from the North (Yukon, NWT and Nunavut), Donna Scott, was elected to the CDHA board.
CDHA collaborates with five other organizations to develop a joint position statement on the role of health professionals in tobacco cessation.
CDHA’s board of directors endorses the 2011 Position Statement on Community Water Fluoridation.
CDHA’s conducts its re-named Job Market and Employment Survey.

2010

CDHA celebrates the success of its advocacy efforts in Newfoundland and Labrador, where a new Health Professions Act allows dental hygienists to be self-regulated.
CDHA is one of the six organizations awarded funding by the federal Elder Abuse Initiative for raising awareness on the issue of older adult abuse and neglect.
CDHA launches a very popular Educators’ community. Educator members receive several important benefits including access to the Educators’ Listserv, educator workshops, and an educator award.
The first AGM held outside of CDHA’s office takes place on October 16, 2010.

2009

CDHA participates in the first North American Dental Hygiene Research Conference, attended by 150 dental hygienists from five different countries. CDHA presents a Leading Poster Presentation Award and a Graduate Student Travel Bursary during the conference.
CDHA surpasses the 15,000-member milestone.
CDHA, in collaboration with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario, launches the “Self-Initiation for Dental Hygienists” course

2008

CDHA submits a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance emphasizing the importance of a health care system that puts prevention first.
CDHA presents a draft business case to the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (NIHB), entitled “Improving Cost-Effectiveness and Program Efficiencies in First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Non-Insured Health Benefits Program,” which outlines the benefits of adding dental hygienists to the NIHB provider roster.
CDHA creates the Education Advisory Committee (EAC), which replaces the Dental Hygiene Educators Canada (DHEC)

2007

CDHA hosts the International Federation of Dental Hygienists 17th International Symposium on Dental Hygiene at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, Ontario.
CDHA makes two presentations to approximately 5,000 tobacco-control leaders at the 13th World Conference on Tobacco or Health, held in Washington DC.
CDHA holds its first ever student summit in Toronto, Ontario.
CDHA delivers a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, entitled “Oral Health Care: A Necessary Public Good Now and into the Future,” which highlights the poor oral health of a considerable portion of the Canadian population, and requests that the federal government consider providing oral health promotion and disease prevention as a public good for specific groups of citizens including children, seniors, persons with disabilities, and low-income individuals.

2006

CDHA submits a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance for its pre-budget consultations, calling for increased spending on oral health promotion and disease prevention programs.
CDHA conducts its fourth labour survey.
CDHA gives an oral presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, describing the links between oral health and overall health.
CDHA submits a brief and an oral presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, making recommendations for improving access to oral health services and calling for direct payment to dental hygienists; categorical oral health funding for low-income individuals, seniors, and persons with disabilities; increased funding for the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (NIHB); and tax incentives for continuing education.

2005

CDHA submits a brief and an oral presentation, entitled “Investing in Oral Health – Enhancing Canadians’ Productivity,” to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance for their pre-budget consultations. CDHA’s submission focuses on two areas of public policy: oral health and tax incentives for continuing education.

2004

CDHA launches the Canadian Foundation for Dental Hygiene Research and Education during its professional conference in Newfoundland. The foundation’s first fundraising event is hosted at this conference and raises nearly $21,000.
The Research Advisory Committee is formed based on a recommendation made during the development of the "CDHA Dental Hygiene Research Agenda."
CDHA makes a presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health, advocating for policy and program changes within the federal government to improve the oral health status of Canadians.
Given the success of the 2002 survey, CDHA conducts a third labour survey.
CDHA submits a brief and an oral presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, identifying oral health services as the missing link in the health system. The brief calls for a recognition of oral health as an integral component of overall health, and its full integration into the larger health care system.

2003

The Dentistry Canada Fund now consists of 34 endowment funds, including the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association Education Fund.
CDHA holds the National Dental Hygiene Research Agenda Workshop. Eleven individuals from across Canada are brought together to develop the first “CDHA Dental Hygiene Research Agenda.”
CDHA submits a brief and delivers an oral presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance, providing eight recommendations for federal spending on oral health and three recommendations for changes in the area of dental hygiene education, including tax deductions for continuing education expenses.
CDHA delivers an oral presentation to the House of Commons, entitled “First Nations and Inuit Oral Health.”

2002

The second labour survey of dental hygienists is undertaken by CDHA.
CDHA submits a brief and delivers an oral presentation to the House of Commons, entitled “Financing Canada's Oral Health System,” highlighting CDHA's position on funding for the oral health system.
CDHA submits a brief to Senator Kirby, Chairperson of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, entitled “Dental Hygiene Care in Canada.” The report highlights areas where oral health issues have received inadequate attention, and provides recommendations on how to address these shortcomings in the oral health system.
CDHA develops the Dental Hygienists’ Code of Ethics.
CDHA publishes the Dental Hygiene Client’s Bill of Rights.

2001

CDHA submits a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance for their pre-budget consultations, in order to inform and educate the committee's members about the importance of oral hygiene and to ensure that oral health care gets the recognition it deserves.
CDHA submits a brief to the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada, contributing to the debate about the future of Canada's health care system; highlighting the importance of the connection between oral and general health; and advocating for increased access to dental hygiene services.
CDHA undertakes a study to investigate the deployment of dental hygienists in Canada. Termed the “Canadian Dental Hygienist Study: Profile 2001,” it provides information essential to planning oral health human resources for the health care system.

2000

CDHA, in partnership with the Allied Dental Educators’ Committee of the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry, develops the “Policy Framework for Dental Hygiene Education in Canada, 2005.” Within this framework, CDHA adopts the position that dental hygiene education programs should offer a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene.

1999

CDHA publishes an inaugural edition of Probe Scientific, which offers a forum for Canadian dental hygienists to publish their own research while also remaining open to publishing international research.

1998

CDHA’s Board Council on Education and Research is disbanded.

1997

CDHA’s Board Council on Education and Research publishes the Educators’ Directory, which includes a listing of researchers and their subject areas.

1995

As part of CDHA’s goal to promote quality dental hygiene research, the Board Council on Education and Research offers its first research grant/award to members.
The first independent dental hygiene practice opens in British Columbia

1994

The Dentistry Canada Fund is formed when the Canadian Dental Research Fund, the Canadian Fund for Dental Education, the Canadian Dental Foundation, and several smaller funds are merged.
CDHA purchases a national office building at 96 Centrepointe Drive in Nepean, Ontario.

1993

CDHA holds its fourth professional conference, the North American Research Conference: An Exploration into the Future. The American Dental Hygienists Association participates in the development of the conference workshops.
CDHA creates the Board Council on Education and Research.

1991

The Quebec Dental Hygienists Association disbands.

1990

CDHA holds a symposium in Edmonton, Alberta, on “Clinical Dental Hygiene: Directions for Research, Teaching and Evaluation.” The purpose of the symposium is to emphasize the relationship among clinical dental hygiene research, education, and dental hygiene practice; to explore ways to participate in collaborative research; and to investigate a conceptual framework for the dental hygiene profession.

1988

CDHA publishes a national survey of dental hygienists, entitled “Dental Hygiene in Canada, 1987 National Survey of Dental Hygienists: A Demographic, Educational and Employment Profile.”
The Working Group on the Practice of Dental Hygiene, Department of National Health and Welfare Canada, publishes a report entitled “The Practice of Dental Hygiene in Canada: Description, Guidelines and Recommendations.” The report highlights a need for more research in such areas as the epidemiology of dental diseases, methods of preventing dental diseases, factors affecting the use of preventive measures, cost-effectiveness of preventive measures, different human resources configurations in dental care, and innovations in delivery systems for dental health.

1982

The world’s first conference on dental hygiene research is sponsored by the University of Manitoba’s School of Dental Hygiene and the Department of National Health and Welfare’s Working Group on the Practice of Dental Hygiene. Fourteen distinguished researchers and consultants from across Canada and the United States serve as conference leaders. Forty-two dental hygienists, representing education, public health, hospital, and private practice settings, register as participants.

1980

CDHA presents a brief to the Health Services Review Commission under the chairmanship of Justice Emmett Hall. One of the fourteen recommendations is that “further research be conducted concerning dental care delivery systems in Canada.”

1978

Newfoundland becomes the tenth constituent association of CDHA.

1974

The New Brunswick Dental Hygienists Association is formed.
CDHA sponsors a conference on dental auxiliaries, a unique event due to its broad representation, ambitious agenda, and free and wide-ranging discussion among representatives from every sector of the dental field.

1972

The Quebec and PEI Dental Hygienists Associations become the seventh and eighth constituent associations of CDHA.

1970

The Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists Association becomes the sixth constituent association of CDHA.
CDHA is a founding member of the International Liaison Committee on Dental Hygiene.

1968

CDHA presents an important brief to the newly convened “Ad Hoc Committee on Dental Auxiliaries” of the Department of National Health and Welfare. The committee’s report is significant in its endorsement of extended duties for dental hygienists, particularly in the area of restorative dentistry.

1967

After two years of provisional status, the British Columbia Dental Hygienists Association constitution is approved.

1965

At the Quebec City Convention, the board of directors with delegates from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia ratify the Constitution of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association

1964

The first annual CDHA convention and general meeting are held in Edmonton, Alberta. Represented at the meeting are dental hygienists from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia.
A provisional constitution is adopted, and Jill Dossett is elected president for 1964–65

1963

Several alumnae of the School of Dental Hygiene, University of Toronto, feel it’s time to organize graduate dental hygienists in Canada on a national basis. They correspond with as many dental hygienists as possible across the country, and, through the combined efforts of dental hygienists in Alberta and Ontario, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is formed and an executive is chosen.
Mai Pohlak becomes CDHA’s first president.