First dental hygienists in Ontario certified to self-initiate

    Oct. 26, 2007
    250 dental hygienists can serve public directly without a dentist's referral.

    The College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) announced today that 250 dental hygienists have been assessed and granted the right to "self-initiate" under new legislation and standards of practice. This gives the public direct access to oral hygiene care without a dentist's referral.

    "This is an historic moment in dental hygiene in Ontario, and for the public's improved access to preventive oral health care," said Cathie Mazal-Kuula, President of the CDHO.

    The province of Ontario has joined British Columbia, Alberta and other jurisdictions that permit the public to have direct access to dental hygienists, thus bypassing the cost and need for a dental visit prior to teeth cleaning. Kathleen Wynne, MPP, of Don Valley West, and Donna Cansfield, MPP, of Etobicoke Centre, along with members of the Ontario legislature from all three major parties, championed the change in Ontario's legislation. The legislation was among the promises kept by the McGuinty government.

    "We anticipate that more and more dental hygienists will apply for
    approval to self-initiate as public awareness and demand for direct access to dental hygiene increases," commented CDHO Registrar Fran Richardson.

    The dental hygienists who have successfully met the College's criteria and standards for self-initiation are located throughout the province. Dental hygienists who have been approved are identified on the CDHO Web site under "Find a Dental Hygienist."

    The change means the public can have direct access to dental hygiene care in multiple venues such as long-term care residences, in-home care, traditional dental offices or independent practice settings.

    Access to oral hygiene services has been an ever-growing challenge for the economically disadvantaged, seniors, immigrants and disabled persons, as well as those living in northern and more remote regions of the province. Dental hygienists have been regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) for over a decade. However, they were unable to meet the need for direct access due to archaic restrictions held over from the time when dental hygiene was regulated under dentistry, and not as RHPA professionals with their own Dental Hygiene Act. The impact of the new legislation is expected to be significant among the many at-risk communities that face obstacles in obtaining oral hygiene care.

    The CDHO was established pursuant to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the Dental Hygiene Act, 1991 as the statutory regulatory body for dental hygienists who are registered to practice in Ontario. There are currently 9,500 dental hygienists registered to practice by the CDHO.

    Source: TORONTO, Oct. 15 /CNW