A healthy relationship between a client and an RDH includes elements of trust, respect, confidence, sensitivity and empathy. The presence of a power imbalance and variable client experiences of vulnerability also inform the relationship. With these factors at play, it is essential for RDHs to lead the way in establishing and maintaining a professional client/hygienist relationship with appropriate boundaries. With the intimacy and vulnerability associated with Dental Hygiene treatment, a sense of familiarity may arise,…

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You’ve been practising at the same dental hygiene clinic for years. As the holiday season approaches, some clients may wish to give you a gift as a token of appreciation. Is this act of gratitude appropriate? To accept or not to accept? While giving a gift is often a harmless show of appreciation, it can run the risk of inappropriately altering the therapeutic relationship and has the potential to complicate matters. In this scenario, consider…

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CDHO is committed to supporting the continuing competence and professional development of RDHs with resources that can improve your knowledge and confidence in practice. As part of the ongoing modernization of the Quality Assurance Program, we’re excited to announce the release of a second e-learning module: Confidentiality and Privacy (also available in French). This module explores the importance of safeguarding client privacy, the duties associated with client confidentiality, and the role of RDHs in building client…

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On December 12, we concluded our final optional Peer Circle of the year! Thank you to our incredible facilitators, case writers, reviewers, and all the RDHs who participated, whether online or in person. Your contributions and enthusiasm made these sessions impactful and meaningful for the profession. This year, Peer Circles brought together over 1,000 attendees across 28 sessions, covering topics like trauma-informed care, ethical decision-making and professional boundaries. For more insights and highlights, see the infographic…

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The Public Health, Orthodontic, and Restorative Communities of Practice are now live! These dedicated spaces are designed for you to connect with peers, ask questions, discuss key topics, and access valuable resources tailored to these specific areas of Dental Hygiene practice. Join the conversation today and be part of the growing network—over 3,600 RDHs have already signed up! Access the Communities of Practice through the Self-Service Portal and add your voice to the discussion.

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The 2025 Self-Assessment is now available in the SMILE Portal. Completed Self-Assessments from all RDHs (including those who are registered as Inactive or are not practising) are due on or before January 31, 2025. Using the Dental Hygiene Standards of Practice as the framework, self-assessment is a valuable activity that helps guide you through reflection on your practice activities. Completing the Self-Assessment allows you to set learning goals that guide your continuing professional development for the coming year.…

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Hello everyone. Happy December and Season’s Greetings! As 2024 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary success of the College’s Peer Circles project, with particular attention to the fact that the success of this endeavour was, in a large part, due to the participation of so many RDHs! Over 1,000 RDHs participated, either in-person or online, across 28 optional sessions offered throughout 2024, and of the 800+ RDHs…

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