Blanket Ceremony Strengthens Culturally Safe Partnership with 23 BC Health Regulators

Representatives of the regulatory bodies that govern 23 different health professions in BC came together with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) to participate in a Blanket Ceremony earlier this month.

Led by Elder Leonard George (Səl̓ilwətaɁɬ First Nation), the ceremony was the next step in the partnership journey that began when BC’s health regulators signed onto the Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility in March 2017.

Coming together in ceremony was important to honour the commitments made by our 23 new partners and begin cultural safety work in a good way, explained Leonard, who has been FNHA’s Elder Advisor since before Transfer.

Health providers such as nurses, doctors, dentists, and many others who are represented by BC’s health regulators play a vital role in shaping the healthcare experiences of BC First Nations. A commitment to cultural safety and humility by these professions is a critical part of creating an environment free of racism and discrimination, where people feel safe receiving health care.
 
Leonard opened by sharing a song and the First Nations perspective of health and wellness. He emphasized the importance of physical, spiritual, emotional and mental aspects of health.
 
“It’s an honour to be with you here today, on behalf of all the Nations in BC that have mandated the FNHA to deliver health for First Nations people,” said Leonard. “We are here to lay the foundation for healthy communities in BC with our traditional spiritual guidance…to ensure that wholistic wellness is put back in the roots of our people.”
 
Four witnesses were tasked to carry the knowledge of the day forward: Gabriel George (Səl̓ilwətaɁɬ First Nation; Leonard’s son), Janene Erickson (Nak'azdli First Nation; FNHA Manager, CEO Office), Donald Scott (Director of Finance & Corporate Services, College of Licensed Practical Nurses) and Carmel Wiseman (Deputy Registrar, College of Dental Surgeons).
 
Each of the health regulators were sung into the room by Gabriel and Leonard. As they stood in a half circle, helpers Shayla Jacobs (Squamish Nation; Ancestral Name Sumkwaht; FNHA Vancouver Regional Team), Jennifer Lynn Smith (Wuikinuxv and Campbell River; FNHA Vancouver Regional Team), Katie Skelton (Anishinabe from Wikwemikong & Wahnapitae; FNHA CEO Office), and Janelle Tom (Squamish Nation; Vancouver Coastal Living Marker; FNHA CEO Office) blanketed and wrapped each representative. Blankets carry important meaning in many other BC First Nations cultures. Among Səl̓ilwətaɁɬ people they represent wealth, nobility and reciprocation.
 
“Our Elder here, he is covering you with his love. Your heart is covered and your mind is covered. The job you have is not easy – protecting the public interest, making sure that the public is going to be okay, knowing that lives are at stake. These blankets honour you but also help you in your work, to help you have a strong heart and strong mind, and an open heart and open mind,” said Gabriel.
 
When each regulator had received a blanket, FNHA staff in attendance joined Leonard and Gabriel in singing the Coast Salish Anthem. Witnesses were recognized and shared their observations of the day.
 
“In today’s ceremony what stood out for me were the values of respect and spirituality. The Elder spoke to us about respecting yourself first, and then the universe will push that back to you,” said Donald.
 
After the ceremony, those gathered discussed the commitments made and the journey ahead to support cultural safety in their professions.
 
“Every regulator, every provider needs to be a part of this. It is complex, there isn’t one solution. We have to think about things not from our perspective, but from the prospective patient and their view of health, sickness…their historical experiences,” said Jerome Marburg, Registrar and CEO of the College of Dental Surgeons​.

The work ahead includes implementing and sustaining change with members of each of the 23 health professions represented. This Fall, regulated health providers will convene a gathering with BC First Nations health leaders to identify further opportunities for embedding cultural safety and humility into their health practice.

“Cultural safety, cultural humility – it isn’t a tick box, it isn’t just one training. It is a journey and a partnership. It is about creating a new relationship between the health system and First Nations,” said FNHA CEO Joe Gallagher (Tla’amin Nation).

Did you know? BC’s health regulators are not the only health leaders to have made this pledge to cultural safety and humility. In July 2015, the BC Minister of Health and CEOs from each of BC’s six health authorities signed on as well.

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Root of the Matter: Part One - Infection Prevention and Control: Routine or a Wash?

Are your “Routine Practices” for infection prevention and control (IPC) so routine that they may not be up to standard? Are you sure you’re protecting your clients and yourself by proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)? Is your hand hygiene a wash? Do you feel confident that the disinfection and sterilization measures in your practice setting are keeping your clients safe? Click here to learn more.

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We Want to Hear from You! CDHBC Ethical Scenarios Survey – Part 1

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 in the dilemma 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. Please note, all names used throughout the scenarios are fictitious.

The information gathered is anonymous and we anticipate the survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please stay tuned for CDHBC Ethical Scenarios Survey – Part 2 in the next issue of Access.

Please click here to access the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5WSP26J

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Quality Assurance Program: Online Learning Plan (OLP) Webinar

The Quality Assurance Program: Online Learning Plan (OLP) webinar that was presented live on April 6th and June 14th, 2017 is now available on-demand.

The session focused on the next steps after completion of the QAP Assessment Tool including understanding and navigating the components within the OLP as well as developing learning goals and action plans.

Registrants are permitted to claim 1 continuing competency (CC) credit for viewing the on-demand webinar. Each registrant viewing the webinar must complete the QAP Online Learning Plan Webinar Question Form which will will act as supporting documentation for the completion of this CC activity. Further, please use the QAP Online Learning Plan Webinar Handout to follow along with the presentation.

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Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia will be held via Live Webinar on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 7:00pm. 

Business to be considered will be the Annual Report, Committee Reports, Audited Financial Statements for 2016/2017, and Minutes of the 2015/2016 AGM.
 
A Current Issues session will follow at 7:30pm with Jennifer Lawrence, Registrar. She will present an update on current issues affecting dental hygiene practice and regulation, including recent changes to the College bylaws.

The AGM is open to all registrants and the public.  The AGM and Current Issues session will be webcast – please note that in order to participate in the AGM webcast you must register in advance as the link and log-in information will only be provided to registered individuals. 

RSVP by October 13, 2017 via email at cdhbc@cdhbc.com.

Attendance of the AGM, via webcast, will be eligible for CC credit (one credit per hour).

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CDHBC Board Meeting

The CDHBC Board Meeting will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 in Victoria.  If you plan to attend, please RSVP by October 13, 2017 to cdhbc@cdhbc.com for more details.

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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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