INTRODUCTION

Dental hygiene is a health-care discipline that is controlled under the Regulated Health Professions Act (1991) and Dental Hygiene Act (1991). Dental hygienists work with clients, other professionals and the greater community to promote, achieve and maintain optimal oral health. The professional role of dental hygienists has been defined as having five primary responsibilities including clinical therapy, health promotion, education, administration and research.

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Canadian Institute of Dental Hygiene Inc. (CIDH) program is offered at a private school dedicated exclusively to dental hygiene education. It is presented in three equal semesters of 24 weeks each. All major program activities take place on the campus which houses state of the art classrooms, computer facilities, laboratories, research library with internet access, and clinic containing 20 fully equipped operatories plus x-ray facilities including cephalometric, panoramic and digital radiology. Community learning activities are included. The hours for each course are comparable to, or exceed, similar courses at Ontario Community Colleges.

The program is based on the standard dental hygiene process of care. Theory courses support all preclinic (on mannequins) and clinical (client) activities.

Faculty members are dental hygienists, dentists and other professionals chosen for their specific knowledge, expertise and experience.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Students successfully completing the CIDH program will receive a Diploma in Dental Hygiene. In order to practice as a dental hygienist in Ontario, graduates must also successfully complete the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination. Following successful completion of this Examination, graduates must register with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO).

Graduates intending to practice in other jurisdictions are responsible for contacting the relevant regulatory authority to determine the requirements for entry to practice in those jurisdictions.

All arrangements and fees associated with writing the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination and registering with CDHO are the responsibility of the graduate. These fees are payable by the applicant directly to the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board and CDHO.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Dental hygienists enjoy an extremely high rate of employment with 92.2% reporting being employed (Ontario Dental Hygienists' Association Employment and Salary Survey, 2009). CIDH surveys of its graduates show equivalent employment levels. Hygienists have many options for employment - the majority work in private practice in a variety of settings including general practice and specialty practices such as periodontics, orthodontics and pedodontics. Other options include public health, health care institutions as well as education and consulting. Flexible hours and many part-time opportunities allow opportunities for education, family and professional development.

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