PDC Forum Update
CDHBC was pleased to have Ms. Melanie Rivers from the First Nations Health Authority as a Guest Speaker at the CDHBC Forum at PDC. Ms. Rivers discussed the importance of providing culturally safe care to First Nations people, and highlighted the work that is being done through FNHA and the #itstartswithme campaign to advance culturally safe concepts.
Following Ms. Rivers presentation, Jennifer Lawrence, Registrar, provided a presentation that examined the current regulatory framework that governs not only dental hygienists but all health professionals in BC and the pressures facing it. Ms. Lawrence also provided an update on current issues such as the Regulation and Bylaw Proposal, the QAP Review, and Inquiry/Discipline cases.
The session concluded with a panel of the CDHBC Dental Hygiene Advisors presenting on current practice topics such as Naloxone, Antibiotic Pre-Med for joint replacement, and common errors or omissions in the ADPIE process of care.
To view Ms. Rivers presentation, please
click here.
In order to claim CE credits for viewing this presentation, please download, complete and save the following
PDC Forum CE Form – Part 1.
To view the CDHBC Forum presentation, please
click here.
In order to claim CE credits for viewing this presentation, please download, complete and save the following
PDC Forum CE Form – Part 2.
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Deposit Payment Plan
The College now offers its registrants the ability to make deposit payments to be put towards next year's renewal fees. The payment plan is completely optional and if your plans change, it is 100% refundable. It is important to note that having money on deposit does not automatically renew your license. During the renewal period you still must login to your profile and renew. This program is designed to assist registrants in budgeting for future renewal fees for those who wish to do so.
Starting on March 1, 2017 you may choose to make payments through a credit card to a refundable deposit account. This system can be accessed by logging into your registrant profile on the CDHBC website.
Click here to read more information on the
Deposit Payment Plan.
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2017/18 Board Election Results
The 2017/18 Board Election online voting polls closed on February 7, 2017 at 4:00 pm.
The College would like to congratulate Rae McFarlane (Kootenays) on her re-election to the CDHBC Board by acclamation; and Zul Kanji (Lower Mainland) on his re-election to the Board.
The College would like to congratulate and welcome Elizabeth (Lise) Cavin (Vancouver Island/Coast) to the Board.
The College would also like to express their gratitude to Tamara Servizi for her contributions to the Board and for her years serving as Chair of the Board. The College is pleased to announce that David MacPherson, a public appointed Board Member, has been elected as Chair for the period of March 1, 2017 to February 28, 2019.
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How Much is Enough: Continuing Competency Credits and the Guided Learning Plan
The Guided Learning Plan (GLP) portion of the Online Learning Plan (OLP) is based on feedback from the Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) Assessment Tool. These results are meant to guide continuing competency (CC) learning activities. It is important to know that you are empowered to use your professional judgement when determining how many credits you spend on each goal and what type of learning you do. There is no minimum or maximum credit requirement for an identified content subcategory. As each registrant learns in their own unique way as well, not all registrants have access to the same learning resources and activities. Professional judgement is encouraged to determine how many CC credits are needed to obtain and satisfy each identified content subcategory. You are the only one who can determine if you have enough knowledge to apply within your dental hygiene practice setting upon completion of the learning activity. As registrants practice in a variety of different settings, the type and number of learning activities is left to your discretion.
Please click here to
read this article.
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Root of the Matter – Blood Pressure Matters
At the College we are frequently asked questions related to monitoring and updating blood pressure for clients. Specifically: 1. Why do I need to take blood pressure? 2. Does every client need their blood pressure taken? 3. What are the blood pressure ranges? 4. What should I do if the blood pressure is high? While these are all good questions, it is best to set the stage with the responsibilities as guided through the CDHBC Bylaws related to the Practice Standards and the Code of Ethics.
The CDHBC Practice Standards (PS) outline the responsibility of the dental hygienist to assess and update blood pressure as indicated or as appropriate for the client’s needs. The PS go further to state that this assessment data must be analyzed to determine any treatment considerations and/or modifications including the need for a medical consultation and/or medical clearance.
Please click here to read the full article:
Blood Pressure Matters
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Administering Naloxone in an Emergency
Most of us are aware of the recent media coverage on the dramatic increase in illicit drug overdoses, particularly those related to the opioid, fentanyl. Many of you also likely recall Dr. Perry Kendall, a Provincial Health Officer, declared the increase in drug overdoses a public health emergency. To put it in perspective, data from the BC Coroner’s Services office indicate that in 2011 approximately 300 illicit drug overdose deaths occurred; however, this number rose to 914 in 2016. Of these deaths last year, approximately 60% were related to illegal fentanyl.
What happens if a person takes too much of an opioid drug such as fentanyl, heroin or methadone? The primary concern is that their breathing can slow down or stop, which can lead to brain damage or death. Naloxone, is an opioid antagonist that acts as an antidote and helps to restore breathing usually within a few minutes of administration. It is safe and does not have an effect if the person has not taken an opioid drug. Naloxone can be delivered by intra-muscular injection or by nasal spray. The nasal spray is sold under the trade name ‘Narcan’ and is felt to be easier to administer; however, it is not yet available in BC.
Previously a prescription was required in order to obtain naloxone from a pharmacy; however, changes by Health Canada and provincially by the College of Pharmacists of BC in the past year have essentially de-regulated access to naloxone, meaning that it can now be obtained by anyone without a prescription and outside of a pharmacy setting (for example, at a public health centre). Along with that, changes were made to the Health Professions Act this past October that allow any health professional to administer naloxone. This lifesaving drug can now be obtained and administered by anyone in an emergency, including dental hygienists.
The College expects that dental hygienists who are looking to incorporate naloxone into their professional practice, will obtain appropriate training prior to doing so. This includes education to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, and the protocol and methods of administration for naloxone. Being able to provide CPR is also a key component in an opioid overdose, and while some first aid organizations now promote “compression-only” CPR, in an opioid overdose the ventilations are actually of particular importance. Lastly, it’s critical to call 911 for transport to hospital for further care and observation because in some circumstances the naloxone can be metabolized faster than the opioid that initially caused the overdose which my result in the person’s breathing difficulties and symptoms of overdose returning.
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Citation for Discipline Hearing
The CDHBC has issued a Citation for a Discipline Hearing to take place on April 11th and 12.th
A discipline hearing is a process that is guided by both the legislation (Health Professions Act) and CDHBC bylaws. A citation happens following an investigation conducted by the Inquiry Committee when they feel that issues at hand are best addressed through a discipline hearing. A hearing is similar to attending court and is a public process.
Click here to learn about the Citation that has been issued for April's hearing.
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Moving?
It is a bylaw requirement that registrants of the College ensure that their mailing address is always current on the CDHBC register. Incorrect or out-of-date addresses can lead to missed mailings that may include important notices and documents. Address changes can be submitted online at
www.cdhbc.com or via email to
cdhbc@cdhbc.com and should include the following information:
- Name
- Registration Number
- Old Address
- New Address
- Email
- Telephone
- Effective Date
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