The CDHO has received a number of telephone inquiries relating to private dental hygiene programs in Ontario. If you are a student in, or are considering applying to, a non-accredited dental hygiene program, and you cannot find the answer to your question in the FAQ’s below, please refer to the section relating to registration for graduates from non-accredited dental hygiene programs.

What must I do when I graduate from the program?
Graduates of non-accredited programs must apply to have their program of study assessed by the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) to determine whether they are eligible to sit its examination. Information relating to the NDHCB application process and deadlines can be found at www.ndhcb.ca. The NDHCB is separate from the CDHO and conducts its own assessment of applicants.

In addition to successful completion of the NDHCB examination, graduates of non-accredited programs must also successfully complete a provincial clinical competency evaluation administered by the CDHO. Applicants must successfully complete the NDHCB examination prior to participating in the CDHO clinical evaluation.

How do I know if my program meets the current educational requirements of the College?
The CDHO cannot comment on whether non-accredited programs will meet the educational requirements if the program is new and has not yet been assessed. Applicants whose courses of study have been assessed by the NDHCB and are considered eligible to sit its examination are not required to have the course of study re-assessed by the Registration Committee of the CDHO. The Registration Committee is satisfied that the assessment process used by the NDHCB is sufficient to determine whether a course of study meets the CDHO educational requirements.

Neither the NDHCB nor the CDHO will conduct an assessment of the program prior to its completion.

The CDHO suggests that you speak directly to the Dental Hygiene Program Director of the educational institute you would like to attend to obtain assurances that the program is planning to meet the criteria required by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada, which grants accreditation to dental hygiene programs in Canada. For information on the accreditation process, you should refer to the following website which outlines the accreditation requirements: Link – Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.

I want to resign.
If you wish to resign, please send a letter of your intention to do so to mdias@cdho.org.

I want to reinstate.
If you wish to reinstate your certificate of registration, please send a request for an application form to mdias@cdho.org.

I am retired but want to retain my registration.
If you are considering resigning/retiring from the CDHO, you could choose to take an inactive certificate of registration. This category of registration does not permit you to practise dental hygiene. However, you would receive the CDHO mailings which would maintain your contact with the CDHO.