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Registration Requirements for Internationally Educated Dental Hygienists

To practise as a regulated health professional in Ontario, you must be a member of your profession’s regulatory college and hold a certificate of registration. Regulated health professionals are required by law to deliver competent, ethical and professional services, and are accountable to the public through their respective colleges.

The College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) regulates the practice of dental hygiene in the interest of the overall health and safety of the public of Ontario.

Ontario Registration Requirements

To practise as a dental hygienist in Ontario, internationally educated dental hygienists must hold a Certificate of Registration and meet the requirements set out by the CDHO. There are three categories of certificates of registration for CDHO: General, Specialty and Inactive.

As a first-time applicant, an internationally educated dental hygienist (IEDH) must apply for a General Certificate of Registration. To become eligible for the General Certificate of Registration, an internationally educated dental hygienist must pursue the following:

  1. Apply to the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) for an assessment of your academic qualifications. The NDHCB will determine your eligibility for the National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam (NDHCE).
    • If you are eligible, you may proceed with taking the exam.
    • If you are not eligible, you may request for your application to be referred to the Registration Committee of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO). If the Registration Committee of the CDHO considers your education as equivalent to an accredited dental hygiene program, you will be required to successfully complete a provincial written exam.
  2. Successfully complete the clinical competency evaluation with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario.
  3. Apply for a general certification of registration with the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario.
  4. Complete the Jurisprudence Module.
  5. Pay the applicable fees.

To learn more about the registration requirements, please visit the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario website.

Resources

How the Access Centre Can Help

Visit Services for Internationally Educated Health Professionals for information about Access Centre services and how to participate.

 
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