Summer 2026 Board Meeting Highlights

CDHA’s board of directors works year-round in service of all members, setting priorities for the association and advocating for the profession and the importance of oral health to overall health. Twice a year, board members meet in person to discuss important operational and policy matters and to review the association’s progress toward its strategic goals.

The Board held virtual meetings in June and July 2026.

Virtual Meeting Highlights - June 16, 2026

The Board endorsed the 2026-2027 budget, including a planned strategic investment in several priority initiatives. The budget includes a deficit of $304,864 (amended to $335,828 at July board meeting), primarily related to implementation of a new Association Management System (AMS), a critical investment that will modernize CDHA's technology infrastructure and improve member services. The Board had previously approved the transfer of $245,000 from the Technology Fund to support this project.

The Board approved the transfer of $59,864 from the Strategic Initiatives Fund to support three strategic projects:

  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Task Force initiatives
  • Long-Term Care Project
  • Baccalaureate Competency Review

These initiatives advance CDHA's commitments to reconciliation, access to dental hygiene in LTC, and the future evolution of dental hygiene education and practice.

Board Awards

CDHA celebrates exceptional volunteer service through its award program, recognizing members who have made outstanding contributions to the dental hygiene profession, either in their communities or nationally through the association.

CDHA is grateful to the many volunteers whose leadership and dedication strengthen both the profession and the association. Congratulations to this year's award recipients:

  • Mandy McGill– Award of Merit
  • Melinda Ferguson Robertson – Award of Merit
  • Rachael Dvorski– Award of Merit
  • Teresa Belarde-Chan – Award of Merit
  • Wendy Stewart – Distinguished Service Award

Virtual Meeting Highlights - July 29, 2026

Finance

  • One of the key roles of a Board of Directors is its fiduciary responsibility. The Board received a report from the audit committee and met with CDHA’s auditor to review the audited financial statements for 2025-2026.
  • The Board accepted the Auditor’s External Monitoring Report as presented, which validates that the financial affairs of CDHA meet the auditor’s standards for financial management as required in Board policy.

Policy

As part of its governance responsibilities, the Board reviewed organizational performance reports to ensure compliance with Board Ends and Executive Limitations policies. Through regular monitoring, the Board verifies that the organization is achieving desired outcomes while operating within established policy parameters.

The Board also approved amendments to its Minimum Cash Reserves Policy.

Constituent Agreement

CDHA has constituent agreements with all provincial dental hygiene associations in Canada, except Ontario, Alberta, and Nova Scotia. The agreements are designed to formalize the relationship between CDHA and provincial associations and to support a unified profession across Canada. Common goals include:

  • Advancing the dental hygiene profession toward a shared vision.
  • Increasing communication and collaboration.
  • Strengthening member participation and support of both organizations.
  • Coordinating advocacy efforts.
  • Raising the profile of dental hygiene.
  • Minimizing duplication of services and costs

The Board reviewed and approved amendments to the constituent agreement with the British Columbia Dental Hygienists Association (BCDHA) to reflect evolving membership and operational requirements.

International Federation of Dental Hygiene (IFDH)

The IFDH is the global organization representing dental hygienists, dental therapists, oral therapists, and oral health therapists. Its mission is to advance leadership, collaboration, education, research, and prevention-focused oral health worldwide. The CDHA Board believes that IFDH is an important force for the development and delivery of a vision for the dental hygiene profession across the world. CDHA’s two delegates to IFDH, Donna Lee and Bev Woods, attended the IFDH House of Delegates meetings and International Symposium on Dental Hygiene in Italy in July and provided reports to the board on house of delegates decisions and future plans.

International Federation of Dental Hygiene (IFDH)
International Federation of Dental Hygiene (IFDH)

Meeting Dates

  • The 2026 AGM will be held virtually on September 19, 2026.
  • The Fall board meeting will be in Halifax on November 11-12, 2026.
  • The Spring board meeting will be in Ottawa on April 9-10, 2027, with a board lobby day scheduled for April 8, 2027.
  • The Fall board meeting will be held in Ottawa on October 20-21, 2027.
  • The Spring board meeting will be held in Saskatoon on April 5-6, 2028

The Board looks forward to engaging with members at the virtual Annual General Meeting on September 19, 2026, and remains committed to advancing the profession and serving members across Canada.