Public Notification of Discipline Hearing Outcome: Mr Darren Kluthe

On October 17, 2016, following an investigation, the Inquiry Committee of the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia (the “College”) directed the Registrar to issue a registrant, Mr. Darren Kluthe, with a citation for a discipline hearing to consider whether he had engaged in professional misconduct.

This case comprised two central themes: truthfulness and complying with one’s professional responsibilities to their regulatory body. The hearing was scheduled to take place on April 11, 2017 and notice was given to all parties. Mr. Kluthe chose not to attend. As allowed under the Health Professions Act (HPA) the presiding Panel of the Discipline Committee (the “Panel”) elected to hear the case in Mr. Kluthe’s absence. Click here to read more about the hearing and decision.

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Mark Your Calendar: Renewal Opens January 8, 2018

This is the second year of the College’s streamlined renewal process. As a reminder to all registrants, this year’s renewal period starts on January 8, 2018 and ends on February 28, 2018.

Renewal fees for the College are frozen for a second year in a row. Further, similarly to last year, the College is also collecting membership fees on behalf of the BCDHA and CDHA.

With this alignment of renewal and collection of fees between the College and associations, all dental hygienists in BC will automatically have access to comprehensive and continuous professional liability insurance coverage effective March 1, 2018.

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QAP Assessment Tool Refresher

Similarly to last year, starting in January of 2018, close to 1,000 CDHBC registrants will be enrolled in the 2018 Quality Assurance Program (QAP) cohort. Once enrolled, registrants have until February 28, 2018 to complete a first attempt of the QAP Assessment Tool.

Some registrants entering this cohort may be thinking “How will I prepare?” or “It has been years since I have completed a question-based assessment and that makes me nervous”, or perhaps even simply “I just don’t know what to expect.” Others in the cohort might be thinking “I am going to look at this the way it was intended, and any questions I get incorrect will guide my continuing education over the next 5-year QAP cycle.” 

Regardless of your approach, this article is meant to provide some helpful information to assist you as you prepare to take this question and case-based Assessment Tool.

Click here for the expanded version of “Thoughts and Considerations for Completing the QAP Assessment Tool”.

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Root of the Matter: Part Two – Sterilization, Disinfection & Environmental Infection Prevention and Control

by Jacqueline Guyader, Senior Dental Hygiene Advisor

In the September 2017 edition of Access, we presented part one of a two-part infection prevention and control (IPAC) article. Part two will focus on several important components of sterilization, disinfection and environmental IPAC measures. To ensure client safety, as well as safety for those who work in the dental/dental hygiene office, dental hygiene professionals are responsible for upholding IPAC standards.

Click here to learn more.

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CDHBC Ethical Scenarios Survey – Part 2

As outlined in the September 2017 issue of Access, CDHBC Dental Hygiene Advisors are often contacted by registrants looking for advice about various ethical scenarios they have encountered in their dental hygiene practice settings. Ethical dilemmas present a challenge for dental hygienists as there are often several conflicting ethical principles at play that need to be analyzed in order to determine a course of action. The College encourages dental hygienists to be familiar with the CDHBC Code of Ethics and to make use of an ethical decision-making model when facing an ethical dilemma. Incorporating an ethical decision-making model will assist in the critical thinking process when faced with the challenge of resolving ethical dilemmas.

The CDHBC is looking to gather information directly from registrants about particular ethical scenarios they may have encountered in their dental hygiene practice in order to develop realistic and applicable practice resources for registrants. Please click the link below to access a short survey outlining six ethical scenarios. You will be asked to reflect on each scenario and provide feedback indicating if you have encountered these situations or ones similar throughout your career. The information gathered is anonymous and we anticipate the survey taking approximately 10 minutes to complete. 

Please click here to access the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X8VB66D 

For those who did not complete the CDHBC Ethical Scenario Survey – Part 1 from the previous issue of Access in September, please take some time to do so now as your feedback is very valuable.  Please click here to access Part 1 of the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5WSP26J 

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Board Nomination Deadline November 30

A reminder that nominations for the Board in the districts of the Lower Mainland, Okanagan and Cariboo North are being accepted until Thursday, November 30, 2017. Once nominations are closed, please watch your inbox for more information on how to vote with the election taking place from January 14 to February 7, 2018.

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Changes to the Health Professions Act (HPA) Strengthen Public Interest and Establish New Nursing Regulator

On October 24, 2017, the Minister of Health introduced amendments to the Health Professions Act at the BC Legislature in Victoria. These changes strengthen the public interest mandate of BC’s health regulators and include:

• Providing authority to the Minister of Health to dissolve a college board and appoint an administrator if the board is seen to be acting to protect the interest of the health profession rather than the public;
• Ensuring that infection control breaches can be reported immediately to public health officials; and
• Streamlining nursing regulation and creating one point of contact for patients and partners by amalgamating the existing three nursing colleges into one nursing college.

These Amendments were passed in the legislature on November 2, 2017. Learn more here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2017HLTH0108-001801

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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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