Membership Frequently Asked Questions

What is my username?

Click the ‘SIGN IN’ button, located in the top right of your screen. Click on the “Forgot username?” link located mid screen. Enter your email address and click the 'Submit' button. This will generate an automatic email containing your username.

How do I reset my password?

Click the 'SIGN IN' button, located in the top right of your screen. Click on the “Forgot password?” link located mid screen. Enter your username and click the 'Submit' button. This will generate an automatic email containing a link to a page where you can easily create a new password.

For what type of membership should I apply?

For a complete listing of CDHA membership types, please click on the link: Types of CDHA Membership. If you need further assistance deciding, please contact CDHA at 1-800-267-5235.

How much does membership cost?

Membership fees depend on your province of residence and current license/registration status. For a complete listing of CDHA membership fees, please click on the link: CDHA Membership Pricing & Details.

Why are membership fees different across the country?

In many provinces, CDHA membership is a dual association membership (includes both national and provincial association fees). CDHA fees remain the same across the country; the difference in price comes from varying provincial association fees.

How do I renew my membership?

You can renew your membership by signing in to your CDHA profile at www.cdha.ca/renew, by mailing or faxing your application directly to CDHA or by calling CDHA at 1-800-267-5235

You can also sign up to have your membership autorenew on an annual basis. You can select a one-time payment (September 20) or a two monthly installment payment (August 20 and September 20). Just set it and forget it! If you’d like to enroll, simply update your online profile at www.cdha.ca/profile or call CDHA at 1-800-267-5235.

How do I join CDHA?

You can join CDHA online, by phone, mail or fax in your application to CDHA directly. Join or Renew Your CDHA Membership Today.

Who is eligible for Graduated Student membership?

The complimentary Graduated Student membership category is available to current CDHA Student members who have recently passed the National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam (NDHCE) within the current calendar year. If you passed the NDHCB exam in the previous calendar year, you are no longer eligible for the Graduated Student membership so please contact CDHA by email at info@cdha.ca or by phone at 1-800-267-5235 to upgrade your account to Active (Practising).

How do I upgrade to Graduated Student membership?

Go to www.cdha.ca/profile. Your Student membership must be current in order to upgrade to this complimentary membership category. Select the RENEW NOW button and then select Convert to Graduated Student. You will need your NDHCB Candidate ID #, the number used to write your exam and verify your account, to finalize the upgrade process. If you have not renewed your Student membership, you will be prompted to renew it first and will then be able to proceed to upgrade to this membership category using the steps above.

I am retiring. Can I keep my membership?

Yes. At CDHA, we have a Retired membership category. Click here for more information.

When is the membership year?

The membership year runs from November 1 to October 31. If your membership includes professional liability insurance, the policy runs from January 1 to December 31. In British Columbia, the membership period as well as professional liability insurance policy period is March 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, for this year only to realign with the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals' (BCCOHP) new licensing period (April 1 to March 31). If you pay mid-year, your insurance policy start date will be your purchase date.

When should I renew my membership?

You should renew your membership by October 31. Renewals can be processed early starting in August. (Excluding BC members.)

BC members: Renewals can be processed starting in early February.

What happens if I move to another province/territory?

Fees may differ from one province/territory to another. Please contact CDHA at 1-800-267-5235 for more information or assistance.

What if I'm practising in BC and in another province/territory?

Since the BC membership period differs from the rest of Canada, please contact CDHA at 1-800-267-5235 to discuss your options.

I'm going on maternity leave, what should I do about my membership?

If you plan on maintaining an active licence with your regulatory body (CDHO, CDHM etc.), you will be required to provide proof of professional liability insurance regardless of whether you will actually be practising or not. This insurance is included with Active (Practising) CDHA membership. If you do not plan on maintaining an active (practising) licence with your regulatory body, you can either renew as a Support member to maintain your CDHA membership benefits (excluding professional liability insurance) or wait until you go back to work to renew as an Active member. Please contact your provincial regulatory body to see what the requirements are if you decide not to renew a practising licence.

Can I cancel my membership?

Membership fees are non-refundable, non-transferable, and are not pro-rated.

When will I receive my membership card/receipt/insurance certificate?

Your membership documents will be emailed within 2 business days after your payment has been processed. If you do not receive them, please check your spam or junk folder.

How can I access my membership documents?

You can download your membership card, receipt, and professional liability insurance certificate (if applicable) from your online profile at www.cdha.ca/profile. The system will also automatically generate the corresponding documents and you will receive them via email within 2 business days of joining or renewing your membership.

How do I change my address?

You can update your address through your online profile. If you prefer, send in your change of address by mail to the CDHA office, or by email to info@cdha.ca. You may also contact us by phone at 1-800-267-5235.

How do I change my name?

Please submit your name change documentation by email to info@cdha.ca or by mail (CDHA, 1122 Wellington St W., Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Y7)
It is important that you maintain your membership with CDHA with the same name that you maintain your license. 

I was a member previously, but I now use a different email address. How can I rejoin?

If you have been a member in the past, we still have your profile in our system. If your email address or other contact information has changed, please call CDHA at 1-800-267-5235 or email info@cdha.ca to have your account updated.

When I call CDHA, why am I asked for my membership/ID number?

A membership ID/number is assigned to every member of CDHA. This unique number helps us identify you as a member and quickly locate you in our database.

What does my professional liability insurance cover?

As an Active (Practising) member of CDHA, you receive basic professional liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per claim/$5,000,000 per policy period. You have the option to upgrade your insurance coverage at an additional cost.

Our professional liability insurance coverage is designed specifically for dental hygienists. It also includes riders for legal expenses, criminal defence reimbursement, and loss-of-earnings. View full insurance program details.

What do you mean by upgraded professional liability insurance?

For an additional cost, you can purchase additional professional liability insurance coverage in the amount of $2,000,000 per claim / $5,000,000 aggregate. View full insurance program details.

Why would I need upgraded professional liability insurance?

This depends on your personal work situation. Some employers, contracts, or certain courses require the additional amount of coverage.

I'm an Active (Practising) member and have an opportunity to work/volunteer outside Canada. Am I covered or can I get additional professional liability insurance coverage through CDHA?

The professional liability insurance coverage included in CDHA's policy only covers members who are practicing on Canadian soil, or when overseas (for a maximum of 90 days) if you are: accompanying patients on trips, attending academic courses or participating in professional exchange programs. Please contact CDHA with your known dates of travel, name of the dental clinic you will be working/volunteering at, as well as the name of the City and Country. The coverage will need to be approved by the insurer. Please allow for 5-7 business days for approval and processing. An additional charge will apply for this supplement coverage.

Insurance can be obtained for other international exposures, however you will need to contact BMS directly for pricing as it varies individually. Please contact BMS via email at cdha.insurance@bmsgroup.com or call 1-855-318-6557.

What happens if a claim is brought against me and I am retired?

The professional liability insurance extends to all former insured members; this is referred to as 'tail insurance' or extended reporting period. If you retire and were an Active CDHA member, your insurance coverage is extended to cover you for any acts that may have occurred during a previous time in which you were covered by our professional liability insurance. Similar coverage applies if you have been injured, are ill, or become disabled.

I am a 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.

Further questions?

Please contact our Membership Services team:
membership@cdha.ca
1-800-267-5235

Or visit our member feedback form to post your question to a specific team at CDHA.