Summary
The Canadian Dental Association, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, and the Canadian Dental Assistants
Association are unified in their message that all members of the dental profession are entitled to work in a healthy
and
respectful environment. This presentation, originally released during CDHA’s 2021 Virtual Conference, provides
details
on the experiences of dental team members, our role in creating a healthy workplace, and the resources that can be
found
on the Healthy Workplace Matters microsite.
Presenters
Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Donna Wells is a graduate of the dental hygiene program at the Canadian National Institute of Health and
holds a
Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Carleton University. After working several years in both general and
periodontal
practice, Donna became a theory and clinical educator, and most recently held the position of pre-clinical
coordinator
at the Canadian National Institute of Health. Donna is the manager of professional practice at the Canadian
Dental
Hygienists Association.
Dr. Louise Hill, BSc, DDS
Dr. Louise Hill graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto in 1984 and has a general
practice in
Orillia, Ontario. For over twenty-five years, Dr. Hill has been a demonstrator in the Oral Diagnosis and
Emergency
Department at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto. She is active in the Ontario Dental
Association at the
local level being a member and councillor for the Muskoka Simcoe Component Society. In addition, she is
currently on two
ODA committees, the Economic Core Committee and the Health Policy and Government Relations Committee.
Complementing
these roles, Dr. Hill is also a Political Contact Dentist. She is honoured to serve on this Healthy
Workplace Working
Group tripartite committee as a Canadian Dental Association representative.
Heather Brownlee, RDA
Heather has been a dental assistant for over 40 years, initially graduating in 1977 and has continuously
upgraded her
qualifications extended duties certifications over the years. She worked for 8 years in private practice
before starting
her family. Heather worked briefly at Seven Oaks Hospital in the Community Outreach Dental Clinic and then
joined the
Faculty of Dentistry (now the College of Dentistry) at the University of Manitoba. She worked at the
University for 33
years only recently retiring. Heather is currently the President Elect of the CDAA. Throughout her Dental
Assisting
Career Heather has been fortunate to work in many practices that were very respectful and caring. Heather’s
hope is that
the Healthy Workplace Matters resources will provide support and useful resources to help every member of
the oral
health team to create a healthy, respectful and nontoxic workplace.
Learning Outcomes
After the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand the experiences of dental team members with bullying and harassment
- Understand the impact of bullying and harassment on dental team members
- Recognize the financial impact of high employee turnover in dental practices
- Define a healthy and respectful workplace
- Explain the role dental team members play in creating a healthy workplace