Starting a Dental Hygiene Business:
Frequently Asked Questions

Starting a dental hygiene business means owning and operating a practice that provides dental hygiene services in accordance with provincial or territorial legislation. The business is led by a dental hygienist and may operate in one or more settings over time.

Dental hygiene businesses can take many forms:

• a storefront dental hygiene clinic
• a mobile practice (bringing services to private homes, long‑term care facilities, community settings, often using a retrofitted vehicle)
• a chair rental within an existing clinic
• a home‑based practice (where zoning and public health requirements permit)

Some practices may later expand, share space with, or rent space to other oral health professionals, including dentists, depending on the business model and regulations.

Business ownership can be rewarding, but it is not the right choice for everyone. Dental hygienists who enjoy business ownership often:

• value autonomy and creative decision making.
• are comfortable learning about business operations, finances, and marketing.
• prefer setting their own policies, schedules, and long‑term goals.
• enjoy building relationships within their community.

Others may decide that independent contracting or employment in an independently owned practice better suits their lifestyle. Exploring options before committing helps ensure a good fit.

Many advisors recommend gaining 3–5 years of clinical experience, including exposure to scheduling, billing, and front‑office operations, before launching a practice. With this foundation, you can proceed confidently towards either ownership or other opportunities.

When a dental hygienist works for a dental hygiene practice, the insurance claim submitted on behalf of patients identifies the provider who completes the service, using that provider’s unique identification number (UIN).

In contrast, when a dental hygienist is employed by a dentist, the clinic bills for the dental hygienist’s services under the dentist’s UIN.

For guidance on setting up EDI functionalities, including electronic claims and direct deposit for dental hygiene clinics, see Insurance Claim Form & Billing Set-Up. To submit insurance claims on behalf of a client/patient as an independent provider, a dental hygienist must have a UIN and be an active member of CDHA’s Independent Practice Network. If you join an office that uses electronic claims submissions, you will need to be added to the office’s CDHA-ACHDnet^™ office number.

Billing practices can vary based on your business model, but typically includes:

• applying for a unique identification number (UIN)—required for each dental hygienist who works at the clinic. A UIN cannot be shared.
  • The UIN identifies the service provider and can be used on the standard dental hygiene claim form to be given to the client or mailed directly to the dental insurance company.
• using CDHA-ACHDnet^™ for electronic dental hygiene claims (used in conjunction with a practice management software).
  • The practice owner will apply for a CDHA-ACHDnet^™ office number, and dental hygienists working in that office can be added under it.
• providing clients with the official CDHA dental hygiene insurance claim form.
• submitting dental hygiene claims on behalf of clients or having them submit on their own.
• coordinating with your bank when direct deposits involve multiple providers.

Please visit Insurance Claim Form & Billing Set-Up for more information.

To transition into business ownership, you should consider joining CDHA’s Independent Practice Network (IPN). IPN membership, which must be renewed annually, provides access to:

• a nine‑digit unique identification number (UIN) for claiming services to insurance companies
• CDHA‑ACHDnet^™ and a four‑digit office number for electronic dental hygiene claims submissions
• the IPN Online Community, including:
  • forums for questions on equipment, software, marketing, and operations
  • a marketplace where members buy and sell equipment
  • a searchable discussion archive
• recordings of Independent Practice Connections Cafés (featuring conversations about marketing, business insurance, mobile/storefront models, buying, selling a practice, and more)
• Business Courses, Resource Guides and more!

Joining offers a strong foundation for anyone considering business ownership.

A well‑built business plan helps you:

• assess the feasibility of your idea.
• clarify your business model and ideal location.
• identify your target population.
• determine equipment and operational needs.
• build effective marketing strategies.
• forecast financials with confidence.

CDHA’s Business Fundamentals: Ready, Set, Launch online course guides dental hygienists through the process of developing their business plan.

Depending on your location and business model, you may need to:

• register your business as a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation (check with your regulatory body regarding options for professional corporations).
• register a business name.
• secure municipal licences, permits or zoning approvals (especially for storefront and home‑based practices).
• apply for a unique identification number (UIN) for dental insurance claim forms.

Confirming requirements early can prevent delays and unexpected costs. Visit the Government of Canada’s website for general information: Canada.ca – Starting a Business.

Insurance needs vary by practice model but often include:

• professional liability insurance
• commercial general liability
• equipment and property coverage
• cybersecurity and privacy breach insurance
• commercial vehicle insurance (for mobile practices)

Coverage options should be reviewed with BMS, CDHA’s insurance broker, to ensure appropriate protection. Visit Business Protection Insurance for more information.

Do you have a practice for teeth whitening or custom fitting sports mouthguards only? Or do you have a large multi-practitioner business that may include health professionals outside of oral health?

From small to large, all independent dental hygiene practices must follow IPAC requirements set by the regulatory body in their jurisdiction, including:

• proper sterilization and instrument reprocessing
• documented equipment maintenance
• safe storage and transport of instruments
• ventilation and aerosol precautions as indicated by a risk assessment

Some dental hygienists begin by contracting a nearby clinic to sterilize instruments. Remember to keep copies of all sterilization logs for your own records.

References:
Canadian Standards Association – CSA Group:
CSA Z314:23 - CSA Z314:23 Reprocessing
CSA Z317.2:24 - CSA Z317.2:24 HVAC
CSA Z8000:24 - CSA Z8000:24 Construction

Mobile and home‑based dental hygiene businesses may require additional planning for:

• municipal zoning and bylaw compliance, and jurisdictional guidance on accessibility
• meeting sterilization and ventilation standards for health care settings
• safe transport and secure storage of instruments and records
• physical demands, ergonomics, and travel time
• vehicle or home insurance premiums

Before signing a lease, consult a lawyer. Key considerations include:

• fees associated with the termination of a lease should you sell your business
• assignment rights to the new owner when you sell your business
• allowable building modifications for clinical equipment
• renovation or demolition clauses causing landlord‑initiated evictions
• restrictions on subletting space or a cubicle to another provider

Watch CDHA’s Independent Practice: Connections Café presentations on Storefront Hygiene Clinics: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Building and Growing Profitably!

As you conduct your marketing research, note other oral health care professionals in your community. Finding a dental office for your dentistry referrals may start with an introduction to your practice, including your guiding philosophies and mission. Set the tone for collaboration and mutual benefit for your clients/patients.

Dental hygiene practices may also rent space for a dentist, provided they comply with regulatory guidelines for both oral health professionals. Typically, this means that the dentist rents a chair for a flat rate, bills separately through CDAnet™, and keeps separate clinical notes. Consult a lawyer when forming relationships with other professionals sharing space in your clinic.