Dental Hygiene Practice FAQs
What is a Unique Identification Number (UIN)?
A unique identification number (UIN), provided by CDHA, identifies you as the provider if you submit oral health
claims to the insurance carriers. Only you can use your UIN — it is not transferrable, nor can it be used
by another dental hygienist. Click here to download the
UIN Application Form. Once you have completed the application, send it to CDHA. We will process your
application and send you your UIN number. Please allow 1 week for processing.
What are the CDHA National Service Codes and are they different from the CDA ULS Codes?
The CDHA National Service Codes are for use by dental hygienists who are practising in an independent dental
hygiene practice. The CDHA service codes are different from the CDA ULS procedure codes.
What is the CDHA National Dental Hygiene Claim Form?
The claim form is for the use of dental hygienists who wish to submit a dental hygiene claim from an independent
dental hygiene practice. Dental hygienists who work in dental offices do not typically submit claims in their
own name.
What is CDHA-ACHDnet?
CDHA-ACHDnet is the network managed by CDHA to transmit electronic claims from independent dental hygienists
to the insurance carriers. It is the only network that is configured to accept dental hygiene claims.
What do I need to do to submit electronic claims?
- Complete the
Electronic Billing Enrolment Form and the
Subscription Agreement and send them to CDHA. These applications are processed every Monday.
- You will receive confirmation from CDHA, along with an office number, 3 numbers ending in “H” ( # # # H)
and set–up instructions.
- CDHAnet requires the user to have practice management software.
Here is a list of acceptable software.
- You will also need to have internet access.
Who can I contact for a status update of my CDHAnet application?
If you have received your office number from CDHA, please contact instream directly for a status update on your
application at 1-855-521-1121 or
support@instreamcanada.com. If you have not received your office number from CDHA, please contact CDHA
at 1-800-267-5235.
Do all insurance carriers accept dental hygiene claims? How many accept electronic claims?
The full list of carriers that accept dental hygiene claims can be found
here.
I need to take a clinical refresher course. Where are they offered?
Where can I study dental hygiene in Canada?
All dental hygiene programs offered in Canada have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation
of Canada (CDAC). You will find a
complete list of degree and diploma programs on CDHA’s website.
How many hours of professional development do I need?
Quality assurance programs vary greatly across the country, and the standards for these programs are set by the
regulatory bodies. Please contact your provincial or territorial regulatory body for further information
on the requirement. You will find a
list of regulatory bodies on CDHA’s website.
I am organizing a community event and need to recruit volunteers.
CDHA members are invited to submit free event listings to our
Volunteer Events Calendar
Where can I find research articles to support evidence-informed decision making when working with my clients?
The
Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene (CJDH) is the only peer-reviewed journal published in Canada exclusively
for dental hygienists. Established in 1966, CJDH encourages research in oral health by publishing studies,
literature reviews, case reports, and short communications of scientific and professional interest to dental
hygienists and other oral health professionals. The journal is published in February, June, and October,
and is publicly available
online.
In 2009, CDHA created a Research Advisory Committee to advance research in the dental hygiene profession with
a view to improving the health of Canadians. CDHA’s
research agenda provides a foundation for the current national oral health priorities and directs future
dental hygiene research efforts.
I have been offered a clinical dental hygiene position with a dentist. We are negotiating wages. Where can I find
information on employment and salaries in Canada?
Every two years, CDHA conducts a dental hygiene Job Market & Employment Survey to gauge employment trends
in Canada and generate statistics on all aspects of the profession. The survey is sent to dental hygienists
across the country. It includes questions about salary rates, employment benefits, workplace injuries, and
practice environment, etc. The most recent survey was conducted in 2015; the
results are available free of charge to members.
I am moving from Ontario to another province. Do I need to take additional courses in order to practise in the new
jurisdiction?
Each province has unique regulations and standards for the practice of dental hygiene. You will need to contact
the dental hygiene regulatory body in your new province to determine the criteria that must be met before
you can practise there. CDHA provides an overview of
scope of practice differences across provinces online.
I am a graduate dental hygienist from outside Canada. How can I work in Canada?
Please refer to the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials’ website for information regarding
the
registration process for dental hygienists in Canada.
I am a Canadian registered dental hygienist and am interested in working overseas. Where can I find information on
employment opportunities?
The
International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) provides information on 26 countries where dental
hygiene is a recognized profession.
There have been some changes in my employment conditions that I believe are unfair and place me at a disadvantage.
Where can I get information and help?
You can receive assistance from your provincial or territorial government’s employment standards branch. The
following is a link to all provincial and territorial offices.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/labour-standards.asp
I work in a dental office that bills via CDAnet. As an Independent Dental Hygienist, can I be added to the dentists
account for eBilling?
Although you cannot be added to the dentists CDAnet account for eBilling, there are a couple software vendors
that allow both dentists and dental hygienists to set up separate accounts and bill with their respective
codes. The ones we are aware of are Maxident and Abeldent.
Dentists and dental hygienists must submit benefit claims under their own Unique Identification Number (UIN)
and using their own systems. (CDAnet for Dentists and CDHAnet for Dental Hygienists). CDHAnet uses the CDHA
National List of Services Codes. The service codes and fee guides are different than those used by dentists.
When transmitting dental claims, only the services provided by the treating dental hygienist can be transmitted
under the dental hygienist’s own UIN.