Registered Dental Hygienists are health professionals who specialize in preventing oral health problems and diseases. They practise interprofessionally with dentists, denturists, physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists and others to provide you with optimal services.
Registered Dental Hygienists are governed under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and the Dental Hygiene Act, 1991 (DHA). Dental hygienists follow the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics set out by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO).
Dental hygienists are the sixth-largest regulated health profession in Canada, with 24,000 practitioners across the country and over 12,000 dental hygienists registered in Ontario. Since the passing of Bill 171, about four percent of dental hygienists have established their own practices outside of a dentist’s office, primarily in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.
Bill 171 and self-initiation
On September 1, 2007, Bill 171 was passed, allowing Ontario residents greater flexibility in choosing their oral health care provider. The public is now able to choose their oral health care provider directly, giving them greater access to oral health care without first having to see a dentist. The amendment to the Dental Hygiene Act, 1991 means that authorized dental hygienists are able to provide dental hygiene services to clients, including professional debridement (“cleaning”), outside of the traditional dental office.
For more detailed information on authorized self-initiation, see the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario.