The practice of dental hygiene made its debut in North America in 1913 when a Connecticut doctor, Dr. AC. Fones, opened the the first dental hygiene school in his garage. The first graduating class consisted of 27 women. The benefits of their work exceeded expectations – cavity rates among participating children were reduced by about 75 per cent.

In Canada, Ontario became the first province to legally recognize dental hygiene with the amendment of the Dentistry Act (1911) in 1947. The first dental hygiene program in Canada was offered at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry. Five students enrolled in the two-year program which began in September 1951 with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Today, dental hygiene is recognized and practised worldwide – existing in more than 50 countries on six continents. In Ontario alone, there are over 14,000 registered dental hygienists (RDHs).

Over the years, the dental hygiene scope of practice has broadened. In 1947, registered dental hygienists were mainly responsible for providing preventive oral care and oral health education, giving instructions and demonstrations in oral health care.

Today, RDHs provide comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care that involves assessing oral health conditions, planning and delivering treatment within their scope, and evaluating individualized oral care programs. As regulated health care professionals, they are responsible for the professional treatment that helps prevent periodontal (gum) disease and dental caries (cavities). In so doing, they make an important contribution to overall health.

RDHs have a distinctive role to play as health care providers. They are important members of the oral health care team which includes dentists, dental assistants, preventive dental assistants, denturists, dental technicians, receptionists and office managers. Registered dental hygienists are distinguished by the pin they wear indicating they are regulated by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO).

In 1994, 47 years after dental hygiene was first regulated and controlled by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons, the government of Ontario recognized the professional status of dental hygiene and granted self-regulation to dental hygienists.

All dental hygienists in Ontario are registered with the CDHO and must adhere to a code of ethics and standards of practice, providing safe and client-centred care.

To learn more about the role of registered dental hygienists and the care they provide, read our Dental Hygienists fact sheet.