Duties of the College

There are many ways in which CDHBC works to fulfil its mandate of ensuring that dental hygiene practice is carried on in the best interests of the public. By establishing standards of academic or technical achievement and by determining the qualifications necessary for registration with the College, CDHBC plays an integral role in the oversight of the dental hygiene profession in B.C.

The CDHBC bylaws describe the duties and procedures of the College in detail, including Practice Standards and a Code of Ethics for registrants, and investigations of complaints against dental hygienists.

Included in the College’s mandated duties, as outlined by the Health Professions Act (HPA), are the following responsibilities:

  • Serving and protecting the public;
  • Superintending the practice of dental hygiene;
  • Establishing, monitoring, and enforcing standards of practice and professional ethics to enhance the quality of practice and reduce incompetent, impaired, or unethical practice among registrants;
  • Informing individuals--both the general public and registrants--of their rights under the HPA, the regulations and the bylaws of the College, and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act;
  • Administering the business and duties of the College in accordance with applicable provincial and federal legislation.

Regulation & Bylaws

The Dental Hygienists Regulation identifies the Scope of Practice, reserved acts, and limitations on the practice of the dental hygiene profession.

The College bylaws set out the details of the operation of CDHBC, including the election and appointment of the governing Board; duties and responsibilities of the Board and staff; registrant qualifications; and procedures for disciplinary actions.

 

Practice Standards

A section of the College bylaws, the eight Practice Standards outline the required criteria and additional guidelines for ideal or “best” dental hygiene practice. They are intended to inform the public of the standard of care to be expected; to provide a measurable standard to which a complaint can be compared; to assist registrants with the evaluation of their own practice and identify areas requiring improvement; and to demonstrate the accountability of the dental hygiene profession to the public, other health professionals, and the government.

 

Code of Ethics

A section of the College bylaws, the 12 Code of Ethics statements provide general principles of ethical conduct which registered dental hygienists are expected to follow in order to fulfil their duty to the public and to their profession.