Retirement of the Vital Tooth Whitening Guideline
CDHM is advising registrants that Council has approved the retirement of the Vital Tooth Whitening Interpretation Guideline.
The guideline is being retired because the requirements for safe and competent practice are already addressed through existing legislation, regulations and College standards, including the Interpretation Guideline for Use of Lasers in Dental Hygiene Practice, which applies where lasers are being used in dental hygiene practice, including in conjunction with tooth whitening. Dental hygienists also receive education in tooth whitening as part of their entry-to-practice education.
The retirement of the guideline does not change registrants’ professional responsibilities. Registrants remain responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate education, training and competence to provide tooth whitening safely and within their scope of practice.
This approach is consistent with broader regulatory modernization occurring across Canada, with a focus on maintaining clear regulatory requirements while supporting registrants’ professional accountability and responsibility for maintaining competence.
CPR-BLS Reminder: January 2027 Renewal
A reminder to registrants that, beginning with the January 2027 renewal cycle, the College is not authorized to approve a 30-day administrative grace period for expired CPR-BLS certification. It remains the registrant’s responsibility to meet the described registration requirements according to the Dental Hygienists Act and Regulation as follows:
On application to the Practicing Register the applicant provides “evidence that the dental hygienist holds current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification at a level required by the council.”
On application to renew a Practicing Registration the applicant provides “evidence that he or she maintains current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification at a level required by the council.”
The College will no longer issue individual registrant reminders for expiring CPR certificates. Practicing registrants are required to maintain valid CPR-BLS Certification. CDHM will confirm that CPR-BLS certification has been maintained at the time of initial application to the Practicing Register and at renewal of Practicing Registration. If your certification is expiring, please ensure you renew it before the current certification expires.
For Further details please review the Practice Direction for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
For specific questions about CPR please see the FAQ link on this page : CPR Certification and Criminal Record Checks
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