ODHA is pleased to announce the spousal exception regulation has passed under the Dental Hygiene Act – a true victory for the dental hygiene profession! ODHA continuously advocated for this change with the Ontario government and the association would like to thank Minister Christine Elliott, Minister Steve Clark, and MPP Jane McKenna for their assistance and hard work keeping this important issue before the Provincial Legislative Assembly.
It’s ODHA’s mandate to advocate for legislative changes to the Ontario government. ODHA membership made a difference. Together, the voice of member dental hygienists, strengthened ODHA’s efforts resulting in this victory. We did it together.
With each step, ODHA watched this regulation move through the legislative process, advocating every step of the way. The ODHA team knew this day was coming and have been preparing. The team has created a document including articles from ODHA’s legal counsel, Julia Martin, LL.B, and ODHA Executive Director Margaret Carter. This document breaks down what the new regulation means to practising dental hygienists in Ontario, including clarifying the legal definition of a spouse. ODHA members can read the document here.
ODHA’s advocacy efforts continue as we provide the voice on other issues important to Ontario dental hygienists. This includes advocating for the administration of local anesthesia, ability to take radiographs and adding to the drug list dental hygienists are able to prescribe. But for now, the ODHA team is celebrating this spousal exception victory with Ontario dental hygienists!
ODHA President Carrie Vondrau, RRDH, is pleased to share this exciting news.
