As of Friday, about 328 individuals had signed a petition calling for internationally skilled dentists to be allowed to offer preventive care—comparable to tooth cleansing—underneath supervision.
Launched on April 16, the petition goals to gather 500 signatures and is directed at Karima Velji, assistant deputy minister on the Ontario Ministry of Well being, and Irwin Glasberg, the province’s equity commissioner.
“On behalf of dentists in Southwestern Ontario, we the undersigned licensed dentists of Ontario write to precise our collective concern relating to the province-wide scarcity of registered dental hygienists (RDHs),” the petition states.
CDCP growth
With the latest growth of the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), the petitioners stated “the inflow of latest sufferers has created and can create an rising—and typically pressing—demand for dental companies.”
They cited Statistics Canada information, noting that whereas Ontario is house to 43.5 per cent of the nation’s RDHs, solely 936 new hygienists entered the workforce between 2019 and 2023. As well as, practically one in 4 hygienists are anticipated to go away the career throughout the subsequent 5 years attributable to retirement or burnout.
Greater than 80 per cent of dental places of work are actively recruiting hygienists however report a scarcity of certified candidates, in keeping with the petition.
The petition proposes a “limited-scope registration mannequin” that might permit internationally skilled dentists—over 5,000 of whom are presently in Ontario’s licensure pipeline—to supply preventive care underneath supervision.
To date, Ontario leads the best way in welcoming internationally skilled dentists.
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CDHA’s response
In the meantime, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Affiliation (CDHA) acknowledged the petition in a LinkedIn put up, saying it’s conscious of the marketing campaign circulating underneath the title: “Enable ITDs (Internationally skilled dentists) to offer preventive and different care (e.g., cleansing) underneath supervision.”
“CDHA shares your issues and shall be discussing this matter with applicable stakeholders (associations and regulators) and can talk a place to the suitable determination makers,” the affiliation stated.
“We admire the members who’ve contacted us with their concern and all of you who’re prepared to advocate for yourselves and the integrity of our career.”
