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Council Elections

NOTICE OF ELECTION AND ACADEMIC SELECTION

Elections to Council in Districts 2 and 3 and the academic selection will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

The College’s Council, similar to a board of directors, makes policy decisions to regulate the profession, and other decisions in the public interest. Council is made up of Registered Dental Hygienists elected or selected from across Ontario and public members appointed by the Ontario Government. Learn more about Council.

If you’re interested in running for election or nominating another eligible RDH, please review the information below and complete the nomination package linked at the bottom of this page.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

District Elections

This is a three-year position beginning in January 2027 and ending in December 2029:

  • District 2 (One position): Wellington, Simcoe and Dufferin counties, and the regional municipalities of Halton and Peel.
  • District 3 (One position): Brant County and the regional municipalities of Haldimand-Norfolk, Hamilton-Wentworth, Niagara, and Waterloo.

Academic Selection

CDHO is accepting nominations for two academic Council members. This is a three-year position beginning in January 2027 and ending in December 2029. An RDH is eligible to vote and/or run in the academic selection if they are engaged in full-time instruction or administration in an accredited educational institution in Ontario that is authorized to grant diplomas or degrees in Dental Hygiene. 

Why get involved?

The voices of Council and committee members inform CDHO’s policies and programs as it regulates the profession in the public interest. By participating in the election, either as a candidate or by voting, you are influencing the future of Dental Hygiene practice and regulation of the profession in Ontario.

RDHs who stand for election can join a committed group of government-appointed public members and RDH peers on Council as they work together to protect the interests of Dental Hygiene clients. While selected by their peers, RDHs who serve on Council do not represent the interests of the profession. Rather, they are members of the profession charged with representing the public interest in Council’s discussions and decisions.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you:

  • Must primarily practise in the district in which you’ve been nominated. If you aren’t practising, then you must reside in the district. For the academic selection, you must be engaged in full-time instruction or administration in an accredited educational institution in Ontario that is authorized to grant diplomas or degrees in Dental Hygiene.
  • Must be registered in good standing (i.e., not owing any fees; not the subject of any disciplinary or incapacity proceedings; not have any terms, conditions or limitations imposed on your Certificate of Registration that were imposed by the Quality Assurance or Discipline Committees).
  • Cannot, within the last three years, have been found guilty of an offence under the Criminal Code (Canada) or any other criminal offence in any jurisdiction, and a period of at least three years has passed since you fully complied with any penalty imposed because of a finding.
  • Must have let at least one year pass since you were an officer, director or employee of any professional advocacy association.

If you have previously served for nine years as an elected or academic Council member, you are not eligible for re-election, re-selection or re-appointment to Council.

View the full eligibility criteria (sections 3.1 and 3.5 of the Bylaws).

Council Competency Profile

If you’re interested in running for Council, please also review the Council Competency Profile. This document outlines the competencies (i.e., knowledge, skill and judgment) that Council needs in individual members and Council as a whole.

Some examples of competencies that help Council and committee members execute their duties include:

  • Awareness of governance processes (e.g., the role of staff vs. the role of Council)
  • Basic financial literacy (e.g., recognizing the importance of financial statements)
  • Understanding of risks and threats to an organization
  • Understanding of public protection mandates
  • Understanding of technology (to attend meetings, maintain security of information)
  • Consistent attendance at and preparedness for meetings.

This profile is not meant to exclude RDHs who feel they do not meet all the competencies. Rather, it is used to determine areas where CDHO can provide further training to Council members. New Council members complete a Council member self-assessment, which will be used to identify opportunities for further training.

Time commitment and compensation

Council generally meets according to the schedule below. Meetings can be virtual or in-person in Toronto. CDHO pays a per diem for attending Council and committee meetings and covers any travel and accommodation expenses if the meeting is in person.

  • One full day meeting in January (half-day workshop and half-day meeting to introduce the new Council, elect the Executive Committee and appoint committees)
  • Eight Council meetings per year (Two full day meetings in March, June, September and December)
    • Meetings require approximately one day of preparation time (i.e., reading the meeting materials)
  • Participation in at least one committee. View the time commitments.

Interested in running?

If you’re interested in running for Council, please follow these steps:

  1. Review the Eligibility Criteria (sections 3.1 and 3.5 of the Bylaws).
  2. Review the Council Competency Profile.
  3. Attend a virtual information session. This session provides you with an overview of CDHO’s mandate and regulatory and governance structure; the Council Competency Profile; and expectations of Council members. Sessions will take place on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please register for one session by emailing registrar@cdho.org.
  4. Download and complete the appropriate nomination package. The deadline to submit your nomination package is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026.
    1. District Election nomination package — You will need five RDHs in your district to sign your nomination package.
    2. Academic Selection nomination package — You will need five faculty members in good standing and eligible to vote in the academic selection to sign your nomination package.
  5. Include your CV with the nomination package.
  6. Email or mail the completed nomination package to:

    registrar@cdho.org

    Office of the Registrar
    College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario
    175 Bloor Street East, North Tower, Suite 601
    Toronto, ON M4W 3R8

The deadline to submit completed nominations is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact us at registrar@cdho.org.