The
Dental Hygienists Act of Nova Scotia, 2007 and the Regulations came into effect May 15, 2009. Under this
legislation
all dental hygienists who were registered and licensed previously become members of the CDHNS. Under the
Regulations,
Section 8 (1) (h) all members who held a practicing license at the time the legislation came into effect will have
up
to two years following initial licensing by the CDHNS to complete a Self Initiation Course approved by the CDHNS.
Until a member completes the Self Initiation Course, they must practice with a general written protocol/order,
signed by
a dentist. Under the Act and Regulations, members approved by the CDHNS to self-initiate the authorized act of
scaling
of teeth and root planing (including curetting of surrounding tissue); ordering, administering and interpreting
radiographs
for dental hygiene purposes, ordering, administering or prescribing those drugs included in clause 25(a), may do so
without
an protocol/order from a dentist subject to the Regulation on contraindications; Section 28, (1-4).
Successful completion of this course will allow dental hygienists to apply to the CDHNS for approval to
self-initiate these
authorized acts as set out in the Act and the Regulations. This will ensure all dental hygienists the authority to
engage
in self-directed clinical practice regardless of practice location and will eliminate the necessity for a written
protocol/order.
The objective of the College of Dental Hygienists of Nova Scotia (CDHNS) Standard of Practice for
Self-initiation
is to offer assurance to Nova Scotians that their dental hygienists are fully competent to provide safe and
effective
care. The Self-Initiation for Dental Hygienists in Nova Scotia course will ensure that you have
comprehensive
knowledge of the dental hygiene process of care, which forms the framework within which dental hygiene care
is
conducted.
The course consists of eight sections.
-
Section 1: Introduction
Section 1 provides an overview of the course and establishes the rationale upon
which the decision
whether to proceed with dental hygiene treatment is made within the dental hygiene process of care
-
Section 2: DH Process of Care—Assessment
Sections 2 to 5 review all components of the dental hygiene process of care,
including health
and personal histories, which includes multicultural influences; information analysis and
synthesis;
and establishing oral care priorities and goals. Evidence-based practise is emphasized throughout,
and
the best sources for client education and scientific resources are presented
-
Section 3: DH Process of Care—Diagnosis & Planning
-
Section 4: DH Process of Care—Implementation
-
Section 5: DH Process of Care—Evaluation
-
Section 6: Clients with Special Needs
Section 6 focuses on clients with special needs, discussing demographics,
especially of the
aging population and clients who may have some form of sensory deprivation or dementia.
-
Section 7: Jurisprudence and Record Keeping (revised 2020)
Section 7 reviews the contraindications legislation clause-by-clause to assist
registrants in
making a professional judgment about the necessity to refer or postpone treatment. The requirements
of
informed consent and record keeping are also considered.
-
Section 8: Health and Safety
Section 8 of this course concentrates on the safety and protection of both clients
and caregivers
in the dental hygiene environment by reviewing the prevention and management of medical emergencies
and
pertinent health and safety legislation.
Course Information
Registration for the course is done online and the course is taken online in the comfort of your home, at your convenience and your pace. You may pause and restart at any time. CDHNS offers 15 hours of continuing competency credit; however, you can take as much time as you need, with the exception of the final examination. You may wish to break up your learning into several shorter sessions.
A resource manual has been developed for the course. It can be downloaded and printed as a complement to the
course.
It is a valuable learning tool with learning outcomes, pre-tests, learning activities, summaries,
post-tests,
and suggested additional resources such as links to websites, etc. It is important that your participation
includes
these learning activities because they have been designed to contribute to the knowledge required to pass
the
final examination and increase your competency to self-initiate and provide safe dental hygiene care.
The required textbook for this course is one of the following:
- Darby and Walsh, 2020, Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice, 5th edition, St. Louis: Saunders, or
- Darby and Walsh, 2014, Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice 4th edition, St. Louis: Saunders, or
- Darby and Walsh, 2010, Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice 3rd edition, St. Louis: Saunders, or
- Darby and Walsh, 2003, Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice 2nd edition, St. Louis: Saunders.
Note: Section 7 refers only to the 5th edition of Darby and Walsh.
Either may be ordered online at
elsevier.com or
amazon.ca. There is also a list of resources and
reference materials (print and electronic) in the resource
manual.
A pre-test is presented at the beginning of each section and a post-test at the end of each section. A final
timed
multiple-choice examination is administered upon completion of the course. Upon successful completion of
the
examination, a certificate of completion issued by CDHA may be printed from your computer.
For those wishing to apply to the CDHNS for authorization to self-initiate, this certificate must be submitted with your
completed application.
Relevance to Practice
The Standard of Practice for Self-Initiation for dental hygiene care applies to all CDHNS members who plan to be authorized to engage in self-directed clinical practice, i.e., self-initiate.
Successful completion of this course provides the evidence required to meet the CDHNS best-practice
standards
to obtain the required authorization for self-initiation. This confirms a level of knowledge, skill, and
judgment
that ensures safe and effective care for Nova Scotians.
Course Developers
Patricia Grant
At the time of course development, Patricia Grant had been an assistant professor for many years in the
School of
Dental Hygiene at Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, where she was teaching in the newly established degree
program.
Diane Landry
At the time of course development, Dianne Landry provided consulting and facilitation services to dental
hygiene
associations and regulatory authorities. She had extensive experience in several professional dental hygiene
roles. She
had practised as clinician, educator in public health and dental hygiene programs, administrator, and
consultant.
Sue MacIntosh
At the time of course development, Sue MacIntosh practised in private clinical settings in Nova Scotia for
over
twenty-five years. She had enjoyed working in a public health setting with the Pictou County Health
Authority, located
in New Glasgow, NS.
Sharon Cavanagh
At the time of course development, Sharon Cavanagh provided individualized training for dental hygienists
wishing to
return to practice.
Maria Elena Tigner
At the time of course development, Maria Elena Tigner currently held the position of professor of dental
programs at
Algonquin College in Ottawa, where she taught oral histopathology, periodontics, and clinical dental
hygiene, among
other courses.
Sandra Lawlor
At the time of course development, Sandra Lawlor had practised clinical dental hygiene for thirty-one years,
and was
also a part-time faculty instructor at the Canadian Institute of Dental Hygiene.
Lisa Taylor
At the time of course development, Lisa Taylor had practised clinically in a variety of settings for twenty
years
before joining the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) in her current position as practice
advisor and
quality assurance administrator.
Brenda Leggett
At the time of course development, Brenda Leggett had over twenty years of experience as a dental hygiene
educator at
Georgian College and Algonquin College. She had practised in community health as a dental hygiene
administrator, and
remained active as a clinical dental hygienist in private practice.
Laura Myers
At the time of course development, Laura Myers was the director of education at CDHA. She had extensive
dental hygiene
experience in education, administration, and restorative and community health, and remained active in
clinical practice.