The College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba (CDHM) is advising registrants of two important regulatory updates approved by Council: an Interpretation Guideline for the Use of Lasers in Dental Hygiene Practice and an updated Practice Direction for CPR-BLS certification requirements.
Interpretation Guideline for the Use of Lasers in Dental Hygiene Practice
Council has approved the Interpretation Guideline for the Use of Lasers in Dental Hygiene Practice.
The guideline provides direction regarding the safe and competent use of lasers as an adjunctive tool in dental hygiene care. It outlines expectations related to education, competency, clinical decision-making, informed consent, documentation, and ongoing professional responsibility.
Key requirements include:
- Competency must be obtained through an accredited dental hygiene program or an accredited continuing education program that includes a practical component with live clients.
- Registrants are responsible for maintaining ongoing competence through self-assessment and continuing education.
- Laser use must remain within the dental hygiene scope of practice.
- Appropriate informed consent and documentation are required.
The guideline does not require registrants to use lasers in practice, nor does it establish laser use as a standard component of care. It identifies the conditions under which lasers may be used safely and competently within dental hygiene practice.
View the Interpretation Guideline for the Use of Lasers in Dental Hygiene Practice:
Updated CPR Practice Direction
Council has also approved an updated Practice Direction for CPR-BLS certification requirements. This Practice Direction is effective immediately.
The requirement for registrants to maintain current CPR-BLS certification at all times remains unchanged and is a long-standing requirement under The Dental Hygienists Regulation.
The updated Practice Direction clarifies:
- The required level of certification is Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR.
- Certification must include in-person, hands-on training and evaluation.
- Online-only CPR programs are not accepted.
- Certificates with a stated expiry date remain valid until the expiry date indicated.
- Certificates issued without an expiry date will be considered valid for one year from the course completion date.
- CPR certification is reviewed and verified by the Board of Assessors as part of the renewal process.
Removal of the 30-Day Grace Period
Historically, CDHM has applied an administrative practice of recognizing a 30-day grace period.
Effective immediately, Council has approved the removal of this administrative practice. However, CDHM will observe a transitional implementation period until the January 2027 renewal cycle to allow registrants time to adjust to this change.
Beginning with the January 2027 renewal cycle, the College will no longer observe the 30-day grace period and registrants must maintain valid CPR-BLS certification at all times, with no lapse in certification.
Valid CPR-BLS certification remains a requirement for renewal. Any lapse in CPR-BLS certification identified during the previous renewal period or at the time of renewal may impact the approval of a registrant’s renewal, including the imposition of terms and conditions on registration where appropriate.
View the CPR Practice Direction:
Registrants are encouraged to review both documents in full. Additional information will be provided in the Summer Newsletter and through future communications leading up to the January 2027 renewal cycle.