Summary
This dynamic webinar equips dental hygienists with the knowledge, tools,
and inspiration to become powerful advocates for oral health, themselves,
and the profession. Participants will gain valuable insight into CDHA’s
national advocacy efforts and discover a wealth of practical resources,
including webinars, videos, toolkits, and evidence-informed materials,
that support advocacy at every level. Designed to strengthen leadership
and build confidence, this session explores strategies for effective,
evidence-informed decision-making and meaningful engagement in policy and
practice. Learn how to leverage CDHA’s extensive resource library to
enhance patient care, influence change, and amplify your professional
voice! The webinar also highlights actionable ways to advocate within
local communities and empowers dental hygienists to strengthen
self-advocacy in the workplace. By combining leadership development with
access to robust CDHA supports, participants are equipped to drive
positive change, advance equity in oral health care, and contribute to
safer, healthier communities.
Presenters
Ondina Love, BA (Hons), CAE (she, her/elle)
Ondina Love has over 40 years of experience in association
management, including 30 years in health care. She is the CEO of the
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), the 7th largest
regulated health profession in Canada, and Executive Director of the
Canadian Foundation for Dental Hygiene Research and Education. She
also serves on the steering committee for the Network for Canadian
Oral Health Research and has been Chair of the Extended Healthcare
Professionals Coalition and HEAL. Previously, she was CEO of the
Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and
Audiologists and held senior roles with the Canadian Nurses
Association. Outside her professional work, she has completed an
Ironman, 3 marathons, and has a black belt in Taekwon Do.
Donna Wells, BA, RDH (she, her/elle)
Donna graduated with honours from the dental hygiene program at the
Canadian National Institute of Health (CNIH) and holds a Bachelor of
Arts in Psychology from Carleton University. With several years of
experience in general and periodontal practice, Donna transitioned
to academia, becoming a faculty member and preclinic coordinator at
CNIH. Currently, as the Manager of Professional Practice at the
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), Donna is dedicated to
empowering dental hygienists to foster a healthy and respectful
workplace.
Learning Outcomes
After the webinar, participants will be able to:
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Describe CDHA’s national advocacy priorities and how they support the
dental hygiene profession.
- Understand key advocacy principles and develop an advocacy plan
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Use CDHA resources to enhance patient care, drive positive change, and
advance equity in oral health care.
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Recognize opportunities to engage in advocacy that drives meaningful
change in oral health policy and practice.
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Apply effective self advocacy techniques to promote safer, healthier,
and more equitable workplace environments.