For over 50 years, dental hygienists have played a vital role in Canada in the promotion of the health and well-being of the public as members of the oral health team. Dental hygienists are also valued members of interprofessional healthcare teams.
Globally, there are exciting and challenging career opportunities for dental hygienists in a variety of roles:
- Clinicians
- Educators
- Administrators
- Researchers
in a variety of environments:
- private dental practices
- public health and community health centres
- professional dental hygiene associations and regulatory bodies
- homecare and outreach programs
- universities and community colleges
- government (policy and planning, lobbying)
- industry (insurance and dental supply companies)
- consulting
- research
Dental hygienists are educated to assess individual and community needs, to plan and implement dental hygiene services, to evaluate the outcomes of dental hygiene care and to collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
The UBC Dental Hygiene Degree Program provides dental hygiene students with an education to enable them to assume greater responsibility and accountability in constantly changing healthcare systems.
Truly a profession for today and the future, the roles of the dental hygienist are evolving in order to help meet the changing oral health needs of society. Be on the leading edge of dental hygiene education. Be well prepared for the future. Choose to complete a dental hygiene degree!
For additional information about a career in Dental Hygiene:
While there are many benefits to students who earn a Dental Hygiene degree; please be aware that a degree in Dental Hygiene does not automatically confer the right to practice dental hygiene in any province in Canada. Each province has a regulatory authority that grants the privilege to practice dental hygiene. For more information on the requirements and qualifications to obtain registration in BC, contact the College of Dental Hygienists of BC at www.cdhbc.com.