Independent Practice Connections Café
Year:
Independent Practice Connections Café - Presentations are
previously recorded videos originally produced from both virtual and
in-person sessions.
2026
IPAC on the Move:
Infection Prevention Considerations for Mobile Dental Hygiene
Virtual edition presented by Practice Health Check
Date: April 16, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm ET
Start time by time zone: 8:30 pm NT, 8:00 pm AT, 7:00 pm
ET, 6:00 pm CT, 5:00 pm MT, 4:00 pm PT
Summary
This presentation explores core infection prevention and control (IPAC)
considerations for mobile dental hygiene and focusses on routine
practices related to site assessment and evaluation for treatment
spaces, and the management, containment, and transport of equipment and
instruments in mobile settings. Participants will also explore medical
device reprocessing area (MDRA) options and workflows, while keeping
national standards and professional guidelines in mind. The session
emphasizes building awareness and understanding to support safe and
compliant mobile dental hygiene care.
Access Information
The virtual platform will be Zoom. Download the
Zoom app before
joining the session on a computer or mobile device. If joining from a
Windows or macOS desktop computer, Zoom offers closed captioning and
translated captions in real time. You must have the latest version of
Zoom, and a variety of languages are supported.
You must join the Zoom presentation using the email associated with your
CDHA account to receive your certificate of attendance.
You will receive a link directly from Zoom via email. Click on the Zoom
link to watch the presentation.
Presenter
Melanie Murray, RDH, CDIPC, Infection Prevention Coordinator at
Practice Health Check
Melanie is certified in dental infection prevention and control
(CDIPC), brings over 25 years of healthcare experience, and is the
Co-Chair of IPAC Canada’s Dental Interest Group. Melanie enjoys
her Infection Control Coordinator role within Practice Health
Check for the on-site visits and educating her peers and
colleagues on infection control strategies in the dental setting.
As a practising dental hygienist, Melanie brings a profound
understanding of the unique challenges, and the nuance obstacles
dental professionals navigate daily within the IPAC landscape.
Melanie lives in Ottawa with her family.
Learning Outcomes
After the presentation, participants will be able to:
-
Explore how IPAC risks present in mobile dental hygiene settings and
how routine practices are applied across all care environments
- Identify key considerations when assessing mobile care sites
-
Discuss safe approaches to managing and transporting equipment and
instruments
-
Increase awareness of medical device reprocessing options and
workflows in mobile practice models
2025
Storefront Hygiene Clinics: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Building and
Growing Profitably!
presented by Cirrus Consulting Group
Presenters: Eric Pook, President Cirrus Consulting
Group with Yanet Del Sol (RDH)
Moderator: Kelly Turner, PM, BA (Kin), RDH,
Release Date: March 24, 2025
Summary
Are you a dental hygienist dreaming of starting your own
storefront hygiene clinic? This engaging and practical webinar is
tailored to dental hygienists looking to build and grow a
profitable clinic. Whether you’re in the early planning stages or
actively building your practice, this session will equip you with
actionable steps, provide guidance on navigating leases, and give
you some insider knowledge to launch your clinic with confidence.
You will hear dental hygienist Yanet Del Sol talk about her
experience in building her clinic. Don’t miss this opportunity to
learn and take the first steps toward owning a thriving dental
hygiene practice!
2024
Expanding Your Business
presented by Maxident
Presenter: Alex Zlatin, MBA, BSc
Moderators: Clayton De Corte, RDH,
Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: April 30, 2024
Summary
As dental hygienist-owned businesses continue to grow across
Canada, dental hygiene entrepreneurs may consider expanding their
practice. This presentation will offer guidance on staffing
considerations and the onboarding process, and we’ll discuss the
need to update office protocols and manuals to maintain
efficiency, consistency, clarity, and regulation as a growing
business. The session will also examine artificial intelligence
(AI) and how it can be integrated into your marketing strategy.
2023
Buying and Selling a Dental Hygiene Business
presented by Professional Practice Sales
Presenters: Gerry Crandles, BA & Regina
Maltsman, RRDH
Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: January 12, 2023
Summary
This presentation will guide dental hygienists through the process
of buying or selling a dental hygiene business and include topics
such as assembling a team and business plan, understanding
normalized financial statements, and understanding the valuation
and selling processes.
Originally presented at our in-person Independent Practice
Connections Café session in November 2022.
Dental Hygiene Business Success Stories
Presenters: Clayton De Corte, RDH, Tina
Mavriyannakis, RRDH, Balbir Sohi, RDH, MSc
Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: January 12, 2023
Summary
Hear from a panel of successful dental hygiene entrepreneurs
discussing their challenges and successes of dental hygiene
business ownership. Our panellists, Clayton De Corte (former owner
of NOWsmile Dental Hygiene, a storefront practice), Tina
Mavriyannakis (owner of The Smile Room, providing
services in long-term care facilities), and Balbir Sohi (owner of
Smiles on Wheels, providing care in an outfitted sprinter
van), share their experiences in starting and growing their
businesses.
Originally presented at our in-person Independent Practice
Connections Café session in November 2022.
2022
A Practical Guide to Demystifying Privacy Legislation
presented by Maxident
Presenter: Alex Zlatin, MBA, BSc
Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: March 22, 2022
Summary
Privacy has become a new buzzword. As guardians of sensitive
health and financial information for clients both the Custodian
and the Privacy Officers are responsible for its safe keeping. The
federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents
Act (PIPEDA) provides a set of guidelines and expectations to
ensure those responsible for the information can minimize the risk
of data breaches. It is instrumental for all staff to understand
their role and responsibility when it comes to privacy rights of
clients and responsibilities of the Custodian and Privacy
Officers. In this session, we’ll examine the high-level starting
points that Custodian and Privacy Offers can implement to ensure
your office data is protected.
2021
Buying, Selling or Starting a Dental Hygiene Practice
presented by Tier Three Brokerage Ltd.
Presenter: Bernard Dolansky, DDS, BA, MS
Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: November 24, 2021
Summary
Are you planning to buy, sell or start a dental hygiene practice?
Whether you are a purchaser, vendor or start-up, there is a lot
that you need to understand about the business side of a dental
hygiene practice. This interactive session will give you practical
tips and strategies that will provide a foundation upon which to
prepare the next phase of your professional life.
Independent Practice Success Stories
Presenters: Balbir Sohi, RDH, MSc; Sophie Freeman,
RDH; Holly Rynard, RDH; Lisa Carlomusto, RDH
Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: March 24, 2021
Summary
Four engaging video presentations that explore the challenges and
successes of dental hygiene practice owners who operate long-term
care, storefront, mobile, and home-based businesses. Our panelists
Balbir Sohi, Sophie Freeman, Holly Rynard, and Lisa Carlomusto
will discuss their motivations, perspectives, trials, and
tribulations as entrepreneurs. Prepare to be inspired by their
journey!
2020
Business Coverage & Risk Management for Independent
Dental Hygienists
presented by BMS
Presenters: Chelsea Kary, Director, Affinity &
Tara Scullion, Broker
Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: December 9, 2020
Summary
This presentation focuses on business coverage and risk management
for dental hygiene business owners. BMS provides an overview of
the business coverages available under the CDHA Insurance Program,
including Clinic/Business Package, Commercial General Liability,
Cyber Security and Privacy Liability, Employment Practices
Liability, and Legal Entity Insurance. Case studies are used to
illustrate insurance portfolio needs depending on different
practice circumstances. The presentation also includes common
claims and risk management advice.
Online Marketing and Branding for the Independent
Dental Hygienist
Leverage online marketing and digital technology to increase
profitability, operate more efficiently, and grow your dental hygiene
business.
Presenter: Tamir Wolfson, MBA
Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: October 28, 2020
Summary
This presentation focuses on the best practices of online
marketing in the dental hygiene sector. Current real-life case
scenarios are reviewed taking into consideration the pillars of an
online presence. These pillars include website design, management,
maintenance, search engine optimization, and social media
marketing. You also learn how to create a respectable online
reputation.
CDHA encourages all members to exercise due diligence when seeking advice
or entering into a contract with persons or companies outside of CDHA.