BCDHA Newsletter: October 6, 2026

HPV Prevention Week

HPV Prevention Week: Understanding the Connection to Oral Cancer

This HPV Prevention Week, BCDHA is highlighting the important role dental hygienists can play in recognizing oral health changes and supporting early detection of potentially malignant lesions.

Join Dr. Denise Laronde, PhD, DH(C), for Take a Look, Save a Life: What Dental Hygienists and Nurses Need to Know, a practical session exploring oral cancer screening examinations, adjunctive screening devices and clinical risk factors associated with potentially malignant lesions.

October 7 | 6:30 p.m. PCT

Learn More & Register

Question of the Week

Last Week's Results

How much progress have you made on your QAP requirements for 2026/27?

61 members responded

I’m well underway 37.7%

I’ve made a start 26.2%

I haven’t started yet 18.0%

I’m already finished 16.4%

QAP? Thanks for the reminder! 1.6%

This Week's Question

What CE topic would you like to learn more about?

Share your idea in a word or short phrase.

Upcoming Learning

October 14
6:30 p.m. PCT

Strategic Instrument Selection Part 2

Join Beth Parkes, RDH, BSc, to build advanced instrument selection strategies for complex periodontal conditions, varied tooth morphology and diverse gingival phenotypes, with a focus on improving both clinical outcomes and ergonomics.

Register Now

BCDHA at the Thompson Okanagan Dental Society Annual Meeting

October 24
12:15 p.m. | TODS Annual Meeting

BCDHA Luncheon Meeting at TODS

All dental hygienists attending the Thompson Okanagan Dental Society Annual Meeting are invited to join BCDHA representatives for lunch and an informative discussion about current issues, emerging trends and the future of the dental hygiene profession in British Columbia.

Learn More

November 2
6:30 p.m. PCT

Fireside Chat: How Principle-Based Standards Affect Dental Hygienists

Join BCDHA for a deeper dive into principle-based standards and how they affect dental hygienists working in British Columbia.

Register Now

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More Learning Ahead

More Opportunities Coming Soon

Watch for more upcoming webinars, events and professional development opportunities from BCDHA.

BCDHA in the Community

BCDHA Education Board Director Jennifer Kwon with UBC Dental Hygiene faculty

From left: Salima Alibhai, Director, Dental Hygiene Degree Program; Jennifer Kwon, BCDHA Education Board Director; and UBC Dental Hygiene faculty members Tina Gill, Natyra Haxhiavdija, Terry-Lynn Sullivan and Penny Hatzimanolakis.

UBC White Coat Ceremony

Celebrating an Important Milestone for UBC Dental Hygiene Students

BCDHA Education Board Director Jennifer Kwon attended UBC’s White Coat Ceremony on September 24 on behalf of BCDHA.

During the ceremony, second-year dental hygiene students received their white coats, marking their transition to clinical care and an important milestone in their dental hygiene education.

BCDHA congratulates the students as they take this next step in their education and professional journey!

BCDHA Membership Renewal 2026/27

2026/27 Membership

Renew Your BCDHA/CDHA Membership

Renew your BCDHA/CDHA membership to maintain access to your member benefits, including professional resources and development, liability insurance that meets BCCOHP requirements specific to dental hygienists, and advocacy.

Renew Your Membership

Recognizing Allied Health Excellence

Nominations Open Until October 9

Nominations Open for 2026 Allied Health Professionals Day Awards

Help recognize the outstanding contributions of allied health professionals across British Columbia by submitting a nomination for the 2026 Allied Health Professionals Day Awards.

Presented by the Allied Health Policy Secretariat, the awards recognize excellence across nine categories. Peers and organizational leaders are invited to nominate deserving allied health professionals.

Submit a Nomination

Membership Has Its Perks

BCDHA MEMBER BENEFIT

This Week's Member Perk

Save at The Uniform Shop

BCDHA members receive 18% off regular-priced items at The Uniform Shop.

Members can also take advantage of team pricing of up to 25% off, making it easier to outfit your entire practice.

Learn More

Continuing Education

UBC Continuing Dental Education

Power and Precision: Optimizing Ultrasonics for Patient-centred Periodontal Care

Monday, October 26 | 6:00–8:30 p.m.
UBC Faculty of Dentistry

This hands-on evening course, taught by Dani Botbyl, is a dry workshop focused on matching ultrasonic instrument characteristics to meet the individual needs of a variety of patient cases.

Emphasis will be placed on treatment planning and precision techniques for the disruption and removal of biofilm, calculus and stain. Participants will have the opportunity to use a variety of magnetostrictive inserts on typodonts to evaluate and expand their skill set.

Learn More

Dental Hygienist Opportunity | Nelson, BC

F/T or P/T Dental Hygienist

F/T or P/T Dental Hygienist position available at Front Street Dental in Nelson, BC. Flexible days a week in a lovely state-of-the-art facility. An incredible supportive team is in place with great systems and mentorship. New grads welcome.

Come work at our wonderful office and live in the most beautiful mountain town in Canada. There is nowhere like Nelson. Winter and summer activities, mountain and lake living, and a laid-back lifestyle that soothes the soul.

Wages offered between $60–$65/hr, plus a uniform allowance.

Send Your Resume

Please send your resume to Dr. Matthew Osepchook at mosepchook@mac.com .

Dental Hygienist Opportunity | Victoria, BC

Full-Time Dental Hygienist

Harbourside Dentistry

Harbourside Dentistry is seeking a dependable, friendly, gentle and patient-centred dental hygienist to join its fun, respectful team in downtown Victoria.

This small, privately owned clinic offers a professional but relaxed work environment and is looking for a skilled team member who takes initiative, thinks ahead and is committed to providing compassionate, exceptional patient care.

Schedule: Monday–Thursday, approximately 8:15 a.m.–4:15 p.m.

Compensation: $60–$70/hour

Location: Downtown Victoria, BC

Benefits include:

Dental care for you and your immediate family
Annual health spending account
Paid sick days
Bonus/incentive program
Continuing education support
Flexible scheduling
PDC registration and related travel, shared accommodation and some expenses
Team-building events and a supportive work environment

Applicants must hold a valid B.C. dental hygiene licence and liability insurance. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, attention to detail and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are essential. Familiarity with Power Practice dental software and Cadi digital X-rays is an asset.

Apply by Email

Applications will be held in strict confidence. Send your application to dentistry.harbourside@gmail.com .

Looking to Hire?

Hiring a Dental Hygienist?

Put your opportunity directly in front of BCDHA members by featuring your job posting in our weekly newsletter.

Feature Your Job