A counter-petition launched by Ontario dental hygienists has gathered 1,763 signatures as of Monday, opposing an earlier petition by dentists seeking to allow foreign-trained dentists to provide preventive dental care in the province.
“We, the undersigned, oppose the proposal to allow internationally trained dentists to perform dental hygiene services, such as scaling, without completing an accredited dental hygiene program in Ontario,” reads the petition, addressed to the Government of Ontario and the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO).
The authors argue that scaling is a “controlled act” in Ontario, and that allowing foreign-trained dentists to perform such procedures without undergoing Ontario’s accredited training could compromise patient safety and care standards.
As of Monday, about 376 people had signed a petition calling for internationally trained dentists to be allowed to provide preventive care—such as teeth cleaning—under supervision.
Launched on April 16, the petition aims to collect 500 signatures and is directed at Karima Velji, assistant deputy minister at the Ontario Ministry of Health, and Irwin Glasberg, the province’s fairness commissioner.
“On behalf of dentists in Southwestern Ontario, we the undersigned licensed dentists of Ontario write to express our collective concern regarding the province-wide shortage of registered dental hygienists (RDHs),” the petition states.
Read related article: U.S. hygienists reject ADA resolutions allowing non-licensed practitioners, including foreign-trained dentists, to perform services
CDCP expansion
With the recent expansion of the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), the petitioners said “the influx of new patients has created and will create an increasing—and sometimes urgent—demand for dental services.”
They cited Statistics Canada data, noting that while Ontario is home to 43.5 per cent of the nation’s RDHs, only 936 new hygienists entered the workforce between 2019 and 2023. In addition, nearly one in four hygienists are expected to leave the profession within the next five years due to retirement or burnout.
More than 80 per cent of dental offices are actively recruiting hygienists but report a lack of qualified candidates, according to the petition.
The petition proposes a “limited-scope registration model” that would allow internationally trained dentists—over 5,000 of whom are currently in Ontario’s licensure pipeline—to offer preventive care under supervision.
So far, Ontario leads the way in welcoming internationally trained dentists.
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CDHA questions shortage claims
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) says improving workplace conditions may be a better way to support the profession than focusing on claims of a staffing shortage.
In a statement to Oral Health Group on Tuesday, CDHA said it’s unclear whether there’s a true shortage of dental hygienists or a problem of “maldistribution and unhealthy work environments.”
The group cited its 2023 survey showing 60 per cent of hygienists had experienced or witnessed harassment or violence at work in the past year, often involving dentists or office managers. Of those affected, 39 per cent considered quitting, 14 per cent resigned and 7 per cent took a leave of absence.
“Ensuring an adequate supply of oral health professionals is critical,” the CDHA said, adding “Oral health staffing is multifactorial and complex. Collaborative dialogue and examination of all factors impacting the workforce are critical to ensuring appropriate care for Canadians’ oral health.”
CDHA also says the number of licensed hygienists has grown steadily, with more than 33,600 across Canada, and most working in Ontario. It also pointed to high graduation rates and a strong workforce renewal ratio.
The association is working with the Canadian Dental Association on a pan-Canadian workforce model to better understand gaps in staffing and access to care.