RDHs may temporarily leave practice for several reasons, including:

• Family, medical or parental leaves
• Returning to school
• Moving to another jurisdiction
• Working outside of Dental Hygiene

RDHs who won’t be practising for an extended period, but who plan to return to practice in the future, can apply to transfer to the Non-Practising Class.

If you are registered in the Non-Practising Class, you pay a reduced fee and do not need to maintain professional liability insurance (other than “tail coverage” for the period when you were practising). You still renew your Certificate of Registration annually and participate in the Quality Assurance Program.

When you’re ready to start practising, you can apply to return to the General Class. If you have not practised in over three years, you will need to complete either a refresher course or a professional competency assessment before returning to practice. This three-year timeframe is counted from the date you last practised, and not the date you last held a Certificate of Registration in the General Class.

If you have questions about the Non-Practising Class or returning to the General Class, please get in touch with the Registration Department at registration@cdho.org or by calling 1-800-268-2346 (press 1).