DH license from Ontario to BC

I worked for one older doc who started offering 10% off for non-assignment payment, and another 5 percent if they didn't use credit card. He had really low overhead, but that is just kinda scary. Some practices run at 80% overhead, so to cut fees 15%, the doc's income could conceivably fall by 75%. and we're not talking getting 6 figures take home!

skrr...for once, I agree with you!!

Some, (if not all to some extent?), DDS are really hurting. I know of one who was thinking about retiring in a couple of years, and really wants to hang on until then, but is down 2 days a week, and probably giving discounts as well.

It's just blo*dy tough out there in the dental world. We're not considered a priority when it comes to juggling paying mortgages, groceries etc. Dental only comes into the pic. when there's pain involved.

Unfortunately, this impacts RDH again...less working days, less jobs, yet the continuous spewing of new grads every year...

student in Port Mann, British Columbia said: Hey there,

I'm sure there are a lot of you who decided to take a DH program in ontario instead of BC. For those of you who decided to come back to BC and work, what sort of process did u you have to go through? interms of license transfer etc.

also, I heard rumors about how dentists look down on hygienists graduating from ontario because the quality of education there is not 'up to par' with BC's programs. is this true? how hard was it to get a job coming from ontario?

thank you.

Hi girls,
I was wondering if someone could please help me out.... awhile back, a very helpful DH, gave me a link to the dental hygiene schools across Canada, in which it gave you the amount of ppl that passed the exam.. This way a person could decide which schools deemed better than the next... Does anyone have the web site or link again please... mine got deleted........Thanks ahead of time,
Joan

you find it here:
www.ndhcb.ca/en/index.php
- check the 'aggregate exam results by DH school'

some schools only had 20-30% pass the exam in January. Yes 80% failed the exam (Oxford school of DH) wow

Like I said, the school Waterbug and I went to hasn't had anyone fail in 20 years (Camosun).

I'm amazed at the number of times they allow you to retake the exam!! Does any other 'profession' allow that many retakes??

CDHA just posted their new employment survey for hygienists across Canada:

Average wages across Canada dropped by $3/hr to just over 36/hr

Quebec wages averaged approx 27/hr, while Alberta wages averaged 53/hr

BC average wage at about approx 43/hr while ON were at 37/hr

more people were looking for work in 2009 than in 2006

read it all here:
www.cdha.ca/pdfs/labourSurvey09.pdf

already a year out of date, of course, and a huge new crop of new grads hit the streets within 3-6 weeks from now.

Down down we go.

skrrrrrr in Victoria, British Columbia said: CDHA just posted their new employment survey for hygienists across Canada:

Average wages across Canada dropped by $3/hr to just over 36/hr

Quebec wages averaged approx 27/hr, while Alberta wages averaged 53/hr

BC average wage at about approx 43/hr while ON were at 37/hr

more people were looking for work in 2009 than in 2006

read it all here:
www.cdha.ca/pdfs/labourSurvey09.pdf

already a year out of date, of course, and a huge new crop of new grads hit the streets within 3-6 weeks from now.

I read through all that the other day---what a joke. It's time the CDHA actually DID something about the mess---deal with the accreditation board handing out accreditation to any little strip mall dental hygiene school that wants to open up----ask about the potential conflict of interest of the owner of the DH school and lastly, put pressure on the Minister of Colleges/Tech/ etc of Ontario who allows for all these pseudo schools to open up. Honestly, this is a complete joke now...i've seen so many ads in our local newspaper begging for students to come to Ontario and do the DH program.....advertising there are 'NO WAIT LISTS, can be approved over the phone, NO PREREQS necessary'......this is a complete joke---and yet the school advertises 92% employment rate....

Every hygienist in Canada should speak with all their colleagues about what is going on and email the CDHA and the ODHA and their provincial association about this pathetic situation. So many hygienists who have jobs and are out working just don't get it or maybe don't care....but THEY NEED TO....because they need to care enough about their profession and the education of its members. We, DHs, need to care more than anyone else involved in this charade.....

30 year vet in Edmonton, Alberta said: I read through all that the other day---what a joke. It's time the CDHA actually DID something about the mess---deal with the accreditation board handing out accreditation to any little strip mall dental hygiene school that wants to open up----ask about the potential conflict of interest of the owner of the DH school and lastly, put pressure on the Minister of Colleges/Tech/ etc of Ontario who allows for all these pseudo schools to open up. Honestly, this is a complete joke now...i've seen so many ads in our local newspaper begging for students to come to Ontario and do the DH program.....advertising there are 'NO WAIT LISTS, can be approved over the phone, NO PREREQS necessary'......this is a complete joke---and yet the school advertises 92% employment rate....

Every hygienist in Canada should speak with all their colleagues about what is going on and email the CDHA and the ODHA and their provincial association about this pathetic situation. So many hygienists who have jobs and are out working just don't get it or maybe don't care....but THEY NEED TO....because they need to care enough about their profession and the education of its members. We, DHs, need to care more than anyone else involved in this charade.....

I AGREE ONE HUNDRED PER CENT
WE NEED TO START AN ASSOCIATION JUST FOR US-LIKE A UNION
there is an employment agency in toronto, thinking of working on the idea of upgrading skills and other employment options. that is what the older rdh need to do.
because once the college gets a hold of the portfolios of ten percent of the ll,ooo hygienists that are registered then a percentage get the love letter that they will have to an on site practice review.
ninety percent will fail on record keeping because the dentist will not allow us to document, .
that is how the future of hygiene will be-attrition through on site and fear of failing and resigning.
the salary is what i saw already 32 in toron

i dont understand the comment about "the dentist will not allow us to document" I find this far from the truth. We are told to DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT , DOCUMENT!!"
as for the other bit about these "strip mall schools" wow, i really agree with that! before, for hygiene, you needed first year sciences to get in , in the states, and in canada. now you need less than what a cda needs to get into her programme, and that is just ridiculous! we pay good money to our college, and they don't look into this problem? hygiene used to be a respected field, now it is falling along the wayside. who wouldn't go into hygiene, when there is no prerequisites, and these new people taking these courses think they will be making 45 dollars an hour. such a joke! very frustrating.

10yearVet - documentation varies a lot from office to office. Some of the offices I worked in didn't seem to care what the HYG documented, and often the documentation was scant to the point of malpractice. Certainly many docs would be concerned if a hyg was running behind due to time spent doing documentation.

I recently updated our digital charts to accommodate all the CDHO documentation rules even though this is BC and the DH college doesn't have requirements and inspections - the CDSBC (dentists' college) has new rules about it, however. This does make for lengthy progress notes that will jam up your files if you're using paper charts! Luckily digital charting takes up no space, and it is much faster to type than to handwrite. Nevertheless, us RDH find there still isn't time to do all the charting, and we have to stay for 5-10 min at the end of the day entering all that info, or do it remotely from home - that costs extra money which sucks. The new practice standards dictate this, and in many ways it is just catching up to what the lawyers make our US friends do already.

i just came back from a four hour seminar on record keeping from the representative of the college of ontario hygienist
there is the idea of a template for charts. i networked and found two other hygienist working on a template which i will call later on today.
there is a general feeling in the seminar which i brought out about resigning from the association and looking to another organization.. like a union... but then where would i buy malpractice insurance which i need for my license.

any othe ideas...

Shyla, it would be really helpful to hygienists if the CDHO developed a template.
With all that is required, hygienists cannot possibly fill the requirements at every single
appointment without a reasonable template. It is just too time consuming. Even the patients
would not want to wait around for the chart to be complete so they can be processed at the
front desk. And if you fill it out at the end of the day, you will forget what to write for
every patient.

CDSPI or Canadian Dental Hygienist Association offers malpractice insurance. The task of starting
a union or other association would be time consuming and daunting. Even if the national competencies go through and increase the entry to practice requirements, it may be too late.

The drywallers have a union, and they work on contract work. I always wondered how this model
could be transfered to dental hygiene.

i will work on the template more this week since i found more hygienist interested in it ,locally.
could you find out how the drywallers union works,
and let me know .
as for malpractice , i may find out if an agency that offers, medical and dental coverage to include malpractice in their fees.

if you check the college website, they have a section that deals with charts for those doing the requirement testing, for colleges..
it has a medical and dental history, ontogram, perio charting and information gathering. it is interesting, i used it too,
they also have a sheet which explains the new charting systme...
let me know,
if we can find malpractice cheaper then i do not have to join the association. just local societies

shyla in Toronto, Ontario said: i will work on the template more this week since i found more hygienist interested in it ,locally.
could you find out how the drywallers union works,
and let me know .
as for malpractice , i may find out if an agency that offers, medical and dental coverage to include malpractice in their fees.

if you check the college website, they have a section that deals with charts for those doing the requirement testing, for colleges..
it has a medical and dental history, ontogram, perio charting and information gathering. it is interesting, i used it too,
they also have a sheet which explains the new charting systme...
let me know,
if we can find malpractice cheaper then i do not have to join the association. just local societies

at a glance
www.thecarpentersunion.ca/?q=home

CDSPI is cheaper than the association, that was a while back for me though.
I am now with the CDHA but not with the ODHA
I'll check out the college website for charting..thanks.

the site on the college is clinical competency evaluation forms
if you download it , you will see what we need

Don't go to CIDH in Hamilton. Terrible treatment. They stress you out so much you can't learn. When I attended there it was Hell and Every student felt the same from years passed. No one wanted to complain incase they were kicked out. It was not even the work load,it was how you were treated. Run as far away from that school.Karma will come back and bite them in the end and they will be forced to shut down.

Thank you so much. I appreciate your help.

Brianne Hicken in Chilliwack, British Columbia said: Hey there,
I am currently attending CADH and am finishing level one in April. I really reccomend this school. The building isnt the nicest in the world, but the clinic is really nice and most of the faculty I have dealt with so far are amazing! I really feel like they want everyone to pass each level and try to help everyone get through. I know that the fail rate is very very low. Theory is kind of tricky and sometimes dry but its not very difficult to understand and only a 60 percent average is needed to pass. Im having a really good time there and will be mentoring a level one student next semester. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask away. Hope to see you at CADH!!

Brianne

Hey. Im graduating in January and am applying for CADH and have an appointment with them on monday. Ive been reading the reviews on the school and im getting kind of scared. Is the program very hard? Would you reccomend this school to anyone wishing to become a RDH?

E.Buc in Brampton, Ontario said: Hey. Im graduating in January and am applying for CADH and have an appointment with them on monday. Ive been reading the reviews on the school and im getting kind of scared. Is the program very hard? Would you reccomend this school to anyone wishing to become a RDH?

I wouldn't recommend DH as a career...it is a PT job at best now...TOO MANY IN THE USA AND CANADA....opt for your 2nd choice...something with "BENEFITS, A LIFE, VACA/SICK DAYS, ETC" NOT HAPPENING IN DH ??? when....probably never again to negotiate a fair ben. pkg or hours/days/pay...etc...sorry but it is WHAT's HAPPENING NOW AND FOR YEARS TO COME !

E.Buc in Brampton, Ontario said: Hey. Im graduating in January and am applying for CADH and have an appointment with them on monday. Ive been reading the reviews on the school and im getting kind of scared. Is the program very hard? Would you reccomend this school to anyone wishing to become a RDH?

You should really do your research on the profession. This is just not a good time to get into dental hygiene; there are very few jobs available. Look through the other threads and posts; these are truthful accounts from working (or trying to work) hygienists. Even new grads. Call around; call the CDHA, the ODHA, and ask the CADH point blank what the chances are of employment when you graduate. GL.

Hello E. Buc.
The program at CADH was indeed a difficult program in my opinion. I made it through however and made it through along with about 3/4 of my class. As for all of the comments about the lack of work and lack of benefits: It totally depends. I am a new graduate (April) and I have landed a Full-time job monday-friday 830-5 with full benefits inclusing life insurance, sick pay, vacation pay etc. I am also working on a 40% commission basis which had been AMAZING so far. So keep your chin up and if you are willing to go to where the jobs are to get experience you will do just fine. I was unable to get a job in BC where I would have liked, so I am working in Winkler MB on a one-year term, but hey...experience is experience right?? Good luck at CADH I know you will do great if you work hard!

hey Brianne.
thanks for replying. I went to an appointment at CADH today and everything was great except for the tuition fee. On their website it says the total fees added up to 36,000 but at the appointment i was told 40,000. that sounds like a ridiculous amount to pay. How much did you pay if you dont mind me asking?

Brianne Hicken in Morden, Manitoba said: Hello E. Buc.
The program at CADH was indeed a difficult program in my opinion. I made it through however and made it through along with about 3/4 of my class. As for all of the comments about the lack of work and lack of benefits: It totally depends. I am a new graduate (April) and I have landed a Full-time job monday-friday 830-5 with full benefits inclusing life insurance, sick pay, vacation pay etc. I am also working on a 40% commission basis which had been AMAZING so far. So keep your chin up and if you are willing to go to where the jobs are to get experience you will do just fine. I was unable to get a job in BC where I would have liked, so I am working in Winkler MB on a one-year term, but hey...experience is experience right?? Good luck at CADH I know you will do great if you work hard!

Are you working for a private Dr. or a Mill? If you have found the decent Dr.'s office, great...if it's the Mill, be aware of all aspects in that office. Is your hourly pay decent or less because of the commission? If you don't sell...do you still make a fair pay? If your office has any other openings, please post to this site, so others may find employment too. Thanks

exp in Newmarket, New Hampshire said: Are you working for a private Dr. or a Mill? If you have found the decent Dr.'s office, great...if it's the Mill, be aware of all aspects in that office. Is your hourly pay decent or less because of the commission? If you don't sell...do you still make a fair pay? If your office has any other openings, please post to this site, so others may find employment too. Thanks

I am not sure what a "Mill" is?? Is that weird that I dont know? lol.
Anyway my boss is a private dentist who owns two practices in Manitoba.
The two dentists I actually work with and who do my checkups are 27 and 28 (a male and a female dentist). They are all fabulous and the atmosphere so far has been amazing. The commission so far has been working out to about 100-300 bucks MORE PER DAY than hourly at 35 bucks an hour would (that was my hourly offer). However If I werent to see many patients in a day then no I probably wouldn't make quite as much as on hourly. I haven't yet run into that in my first 3 weeks. Its nice to be able to relax when a patient cancels though, if I have no patient my time is my own! Right now all positions are filled as there are only 5 hygienists between 2 offices, but if anything changes I will post!

E.Buc in Brampton, Ontario said: hey Brianne.
thanks for replying. I went to an appointment at CADH today and everything was great except for the tuition fee. On their website it says the total fees added up to 36,000 but at the appointment i was told 40,000. that sounds like a ridiculous amount to pay. How much did you pay if you dont mind me asking?

Hmmm, i believe I paid about 34,000. However I did hear that they keep upping the tuition cost! That does sound pretty high. It is a pretty nice new facility they have there but Im not sure if I had to do it over again I would pay 6000 bucks more.

E.Buc in Brampton, Ontario said: hey Brianne.
thanks for replying. I went to an appointment at CADH today and everything was great except for the tuition fee. On their website it says the total fees added up to 36,000 but at the appointment i was told 40,000. that sounds like a ridiculous amount to pay. How much did you pay if you dont mind me asking?

I think 40k is a lot, but it is definitely worth it IF you enjoy DH as a career. DON'T go into it just for the money, you have to like what you do as you will be doing it for the next 30 + years!! I had a 70k student loan and was able to pay it off after one year of working NO PROBLEM. I worked 40h/week and was very frugal in my spendings. I would do DH school again in a heartbeat. It was so much easier than undergrad....you could even work part time during school if you want to.

Hi I'm just in the middle of finishing off my 30 university credits before I can even apply to the program... Was looking at VCC or UFV?? Finding myself second guessing this as a career. F Seems that jobs are slim pickings in BC and I sure as heck ain't moving away from this Beautiful Province. (tried that) Ahhh what to do??? I need more info?? What is happening to this field???

Too many private schools opened flooded the market. Just NO jobs anywhere. Dentist have their picks from many.

Lower mainland is pretty saturated. But my friends up in interior and norther BC are doing really well. I guess it depends on the location.

Lannette in Maple Ridge, British Columbia said: Hi I'm just in the middle of finishing off my 30 university credits before I can even apply to the program... Was looking at VCC or UFV?? Finding myself second guessing this as a career. F Seems that jobs are slim pickings in BC and I sure as heck ain't moving away from this Beautiful Province. (tried that) Ahhh what to do??? I need more info?? What is happening to this field???

Lannette,
Listen to your gut. Seriously....the dental hygiene 'profession' has truly changed over the past five years since the excessive numbers of strip mall DH programs have opened up. It will take YEARS to absorb all these DH grads coming out of Ontario, but worse, the quality of education and quality of DH coming into the profession has changed.
Look into many other health professions----certainly nursing can give you many avenues of practice---within different settings and with more options with benefits and a stronger professional association. It is difficult to read about students who took out huge student loans to get into a DH program, only to graduate and not be able to find more than 1 or 2 days of work. Sadly, it is happening across the provinces. In Alberta, there are NO JOBS and we have NEVER seen it THIS bad EVER. I am sorry to say this, as it truly does break my heart to see what's happened to our profession when our education has been HIJACKED by 'conflicted stakeholders'.

Are there any comments or advise etc. about Georgian College in Ontario please?

Simone in Red Deer, Alberta said: Are there any comments or advise etc. about Georgian College in Ontario please?

It is a public community college that has been running a hygiene program for decades - excellent reputation. Recent president of the CDHO was the course director at Georgian. However, regardless of where you go to school it is still tough out there to find a job.

Can anyone tell me if George Brown College in Ontario is an accreditted hygiene program?

DFedyck in Winnipeg, Manitoba said: Can anyone tell me if George Brown College in Ontario is an accreditted hygiene program?

Yes George Brown is an accredited school. It is a public community college. For a list of accredited schools go to www.CDHO.Org

Thanks very much. Your information is very helpful!

KDK in Burnaby, British Columbia said: It wasn't my intent to suggest all Ontario grads are sub-par....but you have to admit there is something wrong with a profession that allows there to be such a range in education requirements. For example, I had to complete a year of difficult first year university pre-requisites to apply to a dental hygiene program in B.C. For persons who wish to by-pass this process, all they have to do is apply to a program offered in Ontario, where no university level courses are needed, graduate and come back to B.C, and do the exact soma job as myself. I'm sorry if I sound a little bitter, but in B.C dental hygiene program in 3 years, in Ontario it is 2, and that has to account for something.

Actually is has been a three year program now for the past 2 years in Ontario!

Thank goodness! What you say is true! My neice is there now, but her program (one of the very few) demands 6 semesters or 3 yrs. But before you was accepted, she had to have almost her bach of science,and at the very least her RDA II. By next yr, as we hope she graduates, she will hopefully be a RDA II, and a 3 yr dental hygienist, but had almost her bach of scinece b4 she graduates. We just do not understand how you can be 18 yrs old or go only 18 months to the other schools. What an insult!! So, there are a FEW Ontario schools that do provide the proper education (3yrs now). It is the 18 month business schools that are insulting.