Course Information
This course is intended to support dental hygiene business owners who
have established small or medium-sized practices and are looking to
take the next step in business growth. Through solid business
planning, supported by other knowledgeable professionals such as
accountants and lawyers, this can be a very exciting and profitable
transition. Concepts discussed inthis course can be applied to an
existing business model to help foster further growth. Regardless of
the stage of business ownership, size of the business or chosen area
of practice, all providers can learn something from each module.
Business Growth: Invest, Expand, Evolve comprises four
modules, each consisting of a video presentation and a quiz. Each
module will take approximately 20 to 50 minutes to complete, although
you can take as much time as you need. The course is designed to watch
online in the comfort of your home, at your convenience and your pace.
The learning is self-directed, and it is estimated that the entire
course will take 2-3 hours to complete. There are corresponding
PowerPoint slides for each module which can be downloaded and printed
to facilitate notetaking. In addition, there is a list of online
resources at the end of each module offering more in-depth
information. The quizzes at the end of each module will support
retention of the learned business concepts and give you an opportunity
to apply your learning. There is no final summative examination. A
certificate of completion issued by CDHA may be printed from your
computer upon completion of all four modules and quizzes.
Relevance to Practice
Entrepreneurs generally have strong beliefs about the services they
will offer and are willing to accept a level of personal and
professional risk to bring their dream to reality. Business growth is
often difficult and tricky and needs proper supports and guidance.
This course will provide the resources needed to meet these challenges
and allow dental hygienists to prosper as business owners and
practitioners working independently.
Course Developers
Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Donna is a graduate of the dental hygiene program at the Canadian
National Institute of Health, holds a Bachelor of Arts in
psychology from Carleton University, and worked in the banking
industry for 10 years prior to her career in dental hygiene. After
working several years in both general and periodontal practice,
Donna became a faculty member, and most recently held the position
of preclinic coordinator at the Canadian National Institute of
Health. She holds a certificate in Teaching and Training Adults
from Algonquin College. Donna is the manager of professional
practice at the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and is
passionate about her role of providing guidance to members of the
Independent Practice Network and to CDHA members on healthy and
respectful workplace concerns.
Clayton De Corte, RDH
Clayton has been a registered dental hygienist since graduating in
1999 from the dental hygiene program at Confederation College. He
worked in both general and periodontal practice and eventually
opened his own independent dental hygiene business in 2015 with
dental hygienists, a denturist, and a dentist providing oral
health care. With an urge to broaden his horizons within the
profession, Clayton retired from clinical practice and stepped
into his current role of professional practice advisor at the
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, providing advice and
direction to new and established entrepreneurs.