College of DENTAL HYGIENISTS of Ontario

College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario

The College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) is the governing body for dental hygienists in Ontario. The Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC) oversees the registration practices of the college to ensure that they are transparent, objective, impartial and fair for anyone who wants to practise as a dental hygienist in this province.

2011
2010
2009
2008
2007

Registration Practices Assessment Report — Summary (Dental Hygienists)

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2010

Applications to Practise Processed by the CDHO in 2010
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	965	21	7	2	0	995
Applicants who became members	893	13	7	1	0	914

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2009
Audit Report

Information to Applicants: In December, the CDHO developed a separate application package for applicants who are licensed in other Canadian jurisdictions.

Fees: The fee for the clinical competency evaluation increased from $350 to $500. Graduates of non-accredited dental hygiene programs must successfully complete this evaluation. The fee increase reflected the increased cost of conducting the clinical evaluations due to the increase in the number of candidates.

For a description of all OFC-monitored developments for this profession for 2009, see the 2009-2010 Annual Report.

Applications to Practise Processed by the CDHO in 2009
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,072	12	18	3	0	1,105
Applicants who became members	929	9	8	2	0	948

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2008

The CDHO has proposed changes to its registration regulations to clarify its registration requirements related to past conduct, examinations and acceptable education. One of its proposals is to no longer recognize unaccredited Ontario dental hygiene programs as possible routes to registration. This change would provide applicants with more clarity about the standards required to practise the profession.

As of March 31, 2009, the college was amending its proposed changes to incorporate stakeholders' feedback and some of the OFC's recommendations.

Applications to Practise Processed by the CDHO in 2008
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	924	17	12	0	n/a	953
Applicants who became members	945	20	10	1	n/a	976

n/a = not available

During the fall and winter of 2007-2008, the OFC undertook a study of the CDHO to understand its 2007 registration practices and establish baseline data and information. PDF

The CDHO uses the following outside organization/s to assess the qualifications of its applicants:

The College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

The OFC does not assess credentials, handle complaints or intervene in particular cases. Our mandate is one of systemic change. Please contact the CDHO for further information about your ability to practise as a dental hygienist in Ontario.

Assessment Highlight