Registered Dental Hygienists can practise the profession through a special type of corporation known as a Professional Corporation. You must first incorporate your business and register it with the Ontario Government and then apply for a Certificate of Authorization from CDHO for your Corporation.
CDHO cannot provide legal or business advice on how to establish a health professional corporation. Please seek professional advice from an accountant or lawyer to assist you with incorporating.
Step 1 — Confirm Requirements for a Certificate of Authorization
Registration Status
- You must be currently registered in good standing with CDHO in the General or Specialty Class
Directors and Shareholders
- All directors and shareholders of the corporation must be currently registered in good standing with CDHO in the General or Specialty Class
- All the issued and outstanding shares of the corporation must be legally and beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by RDHs who are currently registered in good standing with CDHO in the General or Specialty Class
- All officers and directors of the corporation must be shareholders of the corporation
Articles of Incorporation
- The articles of incorporation must state that the corporation cannot carry on a business other than the practise of Dental Hygiene and activities related to or that support Dental Hygiene
Corporation Name
- The name of the corporation:
- cannot be a number
- must include the words “Professional Corporation” or “société professionnelle”
- must include the last name of one or more of the shareholders as it appears on Find a Registered Dental Hygienist. The name may also include one or more shareholder’s given name(s) or initials
- must include the profession being practised by the corporation (i.e., Dental Hygiene)
- cannot already be in use by another corporation. You can check this through the corporate name-checking service NUANS
| Acceptable Name | Non-Acceptable Name |
|---|---|
| Jane A. Doe Dental Hygiene Professional Corporation | J.A.D. Professional Corporation |
| Patel & Chan Dental Hygiene Professional Corporation | Happy Smiles Dental Hygiene Ltd. |
| W.L. Jones Dental Hygiene Professional Corporation | W.L. Jones Professional Corp. |
| Elaine Brossard l’hygiène dentaire société professionnelle | Brossard Blanches-Dents Ltée. |
To avoid processing delays, please contact CDHO to confirm the name of the proposed corporation.
Step 2 — Apply for a Certificate of Authorization
You can apply for a Certificate of Authorization through the Self-Service Portal.
As part of the application, please submit the following documents:
- A copy of the Ontario Certificate of Incorporation, including the articles of incorporation
- A copy of any other Certificate of Incorporation for the corporation that has been endorsed under the Business Corporations Act as of the date of the application (if applicable)
- A copy of the Corporation Profile Report issued by the Ontario Government (or one of the private-sector service providers under contract to the government) dated not more than 30 days before the application is submitted
- The Corporation Profile Report must show that the corporation is active
- A declaration by the director applying on behalf of the corporation
The application fee for a Certificate of Authorization is non-refundable and can be paid online by credit card. The application fee is found in CDHO’s fee schedule.
CDHO aims to process all applications within 10 business days of receipt of all required information and documentation. Learn more about timelines.
You cannot practice through your health professional corporation until you are issued a Certificate of Authorization.
Maintaining Incorporation
Annual Renewal
If you wish to continue practising through your health professional corporation, please renew your Certificate of Authorization annually by March 1st through the Self-Service Portal. Renewal fees are found in CDHO’s fee schedule.
As part of the renewal, please submit the following documents:
- A copy of the Corporation Profile Report dated not more than 30 days before the renewal application is submitted
- The Corporation Profile Report must show that the corporation is active
- A declaration by the director renewing on behalf of the corporation
- A copy of any amended Certificates of Incorporation, including the articles of incorporation, if applicable
Notice of Changes
Please notify CDHO of any changes to your health professional corporation within 10 days of the change, including the following:
- Changes to the name, address, or contact information of the corporation
- Changes to the directors or shareholders of the corporation
- Changes to the articles of incorporation
- Changes to the status of the corporation or dissolution of the corporation
Please also include supporting documentation (e.g., amended articles of incorporation, updated Corporation Profile Report) when notifying CDHO of the change.