Becoming a Dental Hygienist in B.C.

In British Columbia (BC), the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) serves as the oral health regulator, setting the standards and continuing competency requirements to ensure that oral health professionals are competent practitioners. When planning your dental hygiene educational path, it is crucial to confirm with BCCOHP if there are any additional requirements for the registration process.  

This page provides an overview of Dental Hygiene (DH) education and credential portability in BC. However, we encourage you to visit the BCCOHP website to explore detailed information, ensuring you meet all necessary requirements and embark on a successful career in dental hygiene. 

BCDHA stresses the importance of attending an Accredited dental hygiene program as it is important for dental hygienist clinical competence and professional development. Furthermore, many employers and regulatory bodies require graduation from an accredited school as a prerequisite for employment and licensure.  

BCDHA recommends studying dental hygiene in the same jurisdiction where you plan to work. This ensures that your dental hygiene education aligns with the specific regulatory requirements, standards, and competencies set by the provincial regulator. In BC, that is the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) in BC. Ensuring your education aligns with provincial standards and competencies can simplify the licensure process, as you will be well-versed in the regional laws, ethical guidelines, and practice standards. 

If you consider attending a dental hygiene program outside of British Columbia, we recommend visiting the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) website. CDAC accredits dental hygiene programs across Canada, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and effectiveness. The site provides a list of accredited dental hygiene programs nationwide and contact information to assist you in making informed decisions about your educational path.  

We recommend checking with the oral health regulator in the province where you intend to work to verify any additional licensing or educational requirements needed for registration. Here is a link to the BCCOHP’s list of recognized colleges.  

BCDHA and CDHA, as affiliated professional dental hygiene associations, strongly support continuing education opportunities. On the CDHA website, you can find a document detailing articulation and transfer agreements between Canadian dental hygiene programs and both Canadian and international universities to help inform your educational pathway choices. 

We recommend consulting with the articulating or transfer institution before submitting your program application. Also, ensure that the oral health regulator in the province where you intend to work recognizes the program you wish to attend. 

The British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) regulates dental hygiene in BC and maintains a current registry of all oral health professionals registered and able to practice. Here are some resources to help you navigate registration in this process. We recommend reaching out to BCCOHP directly for complete registration information. It is the dental hygienists responsibility to ensure that you have registered properly before beginning DH practice in BC.  

Once you graduate from your dental hygiene program, you can submit an application to the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) to register as DH in British Columbia. Their mandate is to protect the public by ensuring that all dental hygienists practicing in BC are capable and competent. Please be aware that all practicing dental hygienists must meet the registration requirements with the BCCOHP before beginning work. 

In BC, dental hygienists can administer local anesthesia (LA) within their scope of practice if they hold the appropriate LA certificate or designation. If you intend to practice LA, you must complete a BCCOHP approved LA course and register under the proper licensing category to do so.

Portability agreements exist for some dental hygiene programs between the US and Canada, They exist to promote mobility within the dental hygiene profession, provided the education provided meets Canadian standards and dental hygienist fulfills any additional requirements outlined by the oral health regulator in the jurisdiction they wish to register. If you are attending a DH program in the US and are wanting to move to Canada, please consult the following link on the Federation of DH Regulators of Canada (FDHRC.ca)