DT News - Canada - Canada’s dental hygienists elect new president

Canada’s dental hygienists elect new president

Dental Tribune Canada

Wed. 16 October 2019

save

OTTAWA, Ontario, CANADA: The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) announced the installation of its new president, Leanne Huvenaars, at its recent national conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Huvenaars is from Saskatchewan and joins President-elect Tiffany Ludwicki (Newfoundland and Labrador), past President Tracy Bowser (Prince Edward Island), and directors Rae McFarlane (British Columbia), Alexandra Sheppard (Alberta), Kathy Yerex (Manitoba), Beth Ryerse (Ontario), Francine Trudeau (Quebec), Wendy Stewart (Nova Scotia), Anne Marie Caissie (New Brunswick), Lana Clow (Prince Edward Island), and Natasha Burian (North) on CDHA’s board of directors for 2019‒2020.

Huvenaars received a certificate in dental assisting in 1995 and obtained her diploma in dental hygiene in 2004. She worked in private practice for many years and now co-owns an independent practice, which has enabled her to build relationships with two First Nations communities, the public, pharmacists, doctors, a nurse practitioner, Saskatchewan Polytech, and the University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry. “Collaboration among health professionals and government is necessary to help our clients achieve the goal of optimal overall health,” Huvenaars said.

As president of CDHA, Huvenaars looks forward to connecting with dental hygienists across Canada and developing a stronger understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the profession. She said, “This linkage with the membership is key to recognizing our successes and identifying innovative ways of moving the profession forward for the benefit of all Canadians.”

CDHA is the collective national voice of more than 29,549 dental hygienists in Canada, directly representing 20,000 individual members, including students. Since 1963, CDHA has worked to advance the profession and promote the importance of oral health. Dental hygiene is the sixth largest registered health profession in Canada with professionals working in a variety of settings, including independent dental hygiene practice, with people of all ages, addressing issues related to oral health. For more information on oral health, you can visit www.dentalhygienecanada.ca.

(Source: Canadian Dental Hygienists Association)