2023 Summit Wrap-Up

CDHA hosted its 2023 Summit, in Winnipeg, MB, from October 20 to 21, 2023, at the Fort Garry Hotel.

Summit attendees can access select handouts and a certificate of attendance in their CDHA profile.

Thank You

Thanks to everyone who attended the 2023 Summit on Treaty 1 territory, traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. CDHA would like to honour and thank the generations of Indigenous peoples who were stewards of these lands for thousands of years, leaving their footprints long before us.

Highlights

CDHA staff, board of directors, and sponsors collaborated to deliver its first-ever hybrid, DEI-themed Summit!

More than 170 participants from across Canada attended in-person, including dental hygienists, speakers, and industry representatives. Virtually, more than 950 members registered for this year’s live broadcast of the AGM and education session on Saturday, October 21! This milestone event offered 1.5 days of professional development, networking and other special sessions and greetings. The program provided attendees with tools and resources to build health-promoting and respectful relationships with all people, provide evidence-informed dental hygiene care, and reduce health inequities in the healthcare system. Presentations examined various topics including diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in dental hygiene.

Once again, CDHA invited its long-standing industry partners to participate in the Summit program presentations by taking a seat at the attendee tables. Throughout the event, industry representatives connected with CDHA members, offering the opportunity to dialogue about their company’s latest product and technology advancements. Thank you to our Partners’ Circle members and sponsors for recognizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and for understanding the vital role that dental hygienists play on the oral health care team.

The event kicked off on Thursday, October 19, with a tour of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, organized and sponsored by the Manitoba Dental Hygienists Association (MDHA). It was then followed by a welcome reception, sponsored by Securian Canada, which provided the opportunity to network and mingle over drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

On Friday, October 20, attendees heard from a variety of presenters. Following a land acknowledgement and welcome greetings from Leah Gazan, Federal Member of Parliament Winnipeg Centre, Scott Gillingham, Mayor of Winnipeg, Lee Hurton, Executive Director for MDHA, Valerie Olivier, Deputy Registrar for the College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba (CDHM), Wanda Fedora, President of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists and Wendy Stewart, immediate past-president and chair of CDHA’s Ownership Linkage Committee, Anne-Marie Pham, CEO of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), offered a presentation about power and privilege. Her keynote address, sponsored by Philips, described the dental hygienist’s role in allyship and explored how a healthcare professional’s power sustains healthy and inclusive communities.

Following the keynote address, Sara Runions, Program Coordinator for Safer Spaces, shared stories from their lived experience and offered an introduction to 2S-LGBTQ+ inclusion in healthcare. The Canadian Pharmacists Association, makers of the CPS, was pleased to sponsor this important session. Dr. Joy Void-Holmes, CEO and Founder of Dr. Joy, RDH, then discussed impacts of diversity on individuals, organizations, and communities. Her presentation, co-sponsored by SDI and VOCO, explored how oral health care professionals can build a more inclusive society using soft skills and DEI strategies. The day ended with a panel presentation, sponsored by Haleon, furthering discussions regarding 2S-LGBTQ+ inclusion in healthcare.

Congratulations were offered to CDHA members who won fabulous prizes including an Apple Watch valued at $300 donated by BMS Canada Risk Services, Ltd., a CPS full access subscription valued at $769 donated by the Canadian Pharmacists Association, an Oral-B power toothbrush valued at $350 and waterflosser valued at $130 donated by Crest+Oral-B, a gift basket valued at $350 donated by HuFriedyGroup, a Curaprox power toothbrush valued at $150 donated by Oral Science, a Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean Smart evaluation sample valued at $300 donated by Philips, and a gift card valued at $100 donated by VOCO.

Memorable Quotes

On Saturday, October 21, Jennifer David, Senior Consultant for NVision Insight Group, offered two powerful presentations. Her first presentation, sponsored by Haleon, described how dental hygienists can build Indigenous intercultural capacity by developing attitudes and skills to be anti-racist and strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, and governments. Her second presentation, exploring anti-Indigenous racism in Canada’s health and dental system, was a part of CDHA’s first-ever hybrid program and was broadcast to a live virtual audience. Saturday’s hybrid program continued with CDHA’s annual general meeting where Anne Caissie, CDHA president, turned the reins over to Francine Trudeau, from Quebec, who will serve as the CDHA president for the 2023–2024 year. Members also voted to approve the CDHA Board of Directors for 2023–2024. To close out the event, Dr. Alyssa Hayes, Director of the Dental Policy Development Division, Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), Department of Indigenous Services Canada/Government of Canada, offered an overview of the NIHB program.

Interspersed throughout the program were awards presentations, recognizing various members and volunteers for their exceptional service and dedication to the profession. Congratulations to all award winners and thank you for your ongoing commitment.

CDHA would like to thank Crest+Oral-B for generously sponsoring breakfast, lunch, and nutrition breaks on both days of this year’s event. CDHA would also like to express its sincerest appreciation for the knowledgeable and engaging speakers whose expertise allowed for a well-rounded, meaningful program and a successful event.

Lasty, CDHA would like to thank its members for their participation, both online and in-person, and for their future work to ensure provision of inclusive, positive, and respectful oral health care for all people in Canada.