The Yukon does not recognize dental hygienists as a designated health profession, making it difficult for independent hygienists like Claire Hudson to practise in rural areas, the CBC reported Thursday.
“Our dental act does not mention any sort of incorporation for hygienists, so I would not be able to practise as a business,” Hudson said.
Hudson added the act doesn’t “explicitly say” hygienists can work independently, a growing trend. “It just says I can practise without being in the view of a dentist.”
Earlier this week, Yukon NDP MLA Annie Blake put forward a motion urging the government to amend the act. Yukon NDP Leader Kate White also voiced support.
“There are many pieces of legislation in the Yukon and they each do something different,” White said. “Sometimes you don’t know of the short-comings in a piece of legislation until someone who has a very specific interest finds that mistake.”
Currently, the Yukon requires hygienists to register, hold a licence, and renew it annually, with fees of $100 for registration and $50 for the yearly certificate.
Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon, is the largest city in northern Canada.