CDHO recognizes its responsibility as a regulatory body that serves the public to meaningfully address issues of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA). We are committed to doing what we can to remove systemic barriers and foster a sense of belonging where different voices can be heard and valued.
CDHO’s Council approved a Strategic Plan for 2025 – 2027 that highlights our commitment to IDEA. Over the coming months and years, we will work to embed these principles into our policies and decision-making. We also commit to meaningfully working with and keeping our partners informed of our progress.
We are actively looking within our own organization to develop a deeper understanding of these issues and, more importantly, how to deliver real change. This is a process, but as a starting point we have:
- Partnered with Indspire, an Indigenous national charity, to create the CDHO Bursary for Indigenous Students in Dental Hygiene Programs. Through this partnership, CDHO is supporting efforts to increase access to higher education for Indigenous students.
- Engaged a third party to conduct an annual Voice of the Patient (VOP) survey. The survey is administered in four languages — English, French, Mandarin and Punjabi — and 2,000 patients are surveyed. The survey asks about their experiences with Dental Hygiene practice, including questions that focus on equity, diversity and inclusion. CDHO uses this data to improve resources for RDHs and to develop more patient-focused information. View the VOP survey.
- In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 23iii (provide cultural competency training for all healthcare professionals), mandated that all RDHs complete the NVision course “The Path: Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada” by December 31, 2027.
- Collected voluntary demographic data in the application and renewal forms to better understand demographic trends in the profession and guide efforts to improve equity and inclusion.
- Started developing a Standard of Practice on cultural safety, humility, and anti-racism.
- CDHO’s Council and staff actively engage in training focused on IDEA. CDHO also engages collaboratively with its partners on training initiatives related to IDEA.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The CDHO office and staff operate out of Toronto, Ontario, within the Dish With One Spoon Territory. The name Toronto originates from “Tkaronto”, a Mohawk word meaning “the place in the water where the trees are standing”. Toronto is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now the home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. Toronto is also covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands. We wish to acknowledge this land on which CDHO operates and are thankful to be able to work and live in these territories.
POLICIES
CONTACT INFORMATION
CDHO invites RDHs and the community to collaborate with us in advancing our IDEA initiatives.
IDEA questions and feedback: equity@cdho.org
Reporting of discrimination:
Contact – complaints@cdho.org or file a complaint