Opposition to CDHBC Streamlined Professional Renewnal

I fully expected the CDHBC to use their powers. We fought and won the issue of not writing an exam. All professionals who have tried have abolished theirs. We are the only professionals that continue to have to write.. Is there strength in numbers? Once again do we just stand together and once and for all say we will no longer accept this bullying behaviour.

These decisions seem to be made by people who are not actually IDHPs themselves and thus unaware of how we are affected. This is an example of "tied selling" - we have no choice and that is wrong.

It is sad that the CDHA has to force its policies on hygienists and equally disappointing that the CDHBC would agree and enforce this idea. How much will the CDHBC earn for enforcing this insurance monopoly? This is enough!

While I do not get my insurance from an outside agency, I do not think my choice should be taken away from me.

Forcing BC hygienists to pay NON-MANDATORY BCDHA fees in order to renew their license to practice is an abuse of power by the CDHBC..

this is a shameless money grab

I was at AGM meeting and it looks like we have nothing to say about this. This is ridiculous that they can decide whatever they want and we have to pay for it !!!

I think it is unethical for a college to force its members to get insurance from a specific organization. I would prefer to stick with my lower cost option, that is my right to choose!

This is absolutely ridiculous

It is appalling that our rights are being taken away like this. I opt for Bcdha coverage yearly, but because I choose to. Don't force me to, because this makes me want to go elsewhere for the mere principal

I am signing to let it be known that I am horrified that our own College is effectively forcing RDHs in BC to almost double our registration fees. For the last few years, I have been paying around $105 for yearly malpractice insurance, and you are forcing me to pay more than triple (quadruple?). I have heard that perhaps the malpractice insurance available at discounted rates are not as good quality as what CDHA provides- if this is the case, why not lead with that? I emailed the CDHBC once I found out about the increase to our fees- that was March 18th, and have still not heard a reply. What good is change if it doesn't make you better? As a professional organization, the CDHBC must strive to serve the needs of the public, but this unnecessary penalty will only deter dental hygienists. Forcing dental hygienists to pay more money to their college does not ensure a better dental hygienist. I do not need access to CDHA materials in order to meet my obligations to the college, and having a CDHA membership certainly won't ensure that a hygienist is providing competent and ethical care. I do that on my own because I am a responsible professional. I do not think it is "easier" to spend $900-$1000 once yearly (right after Christmas), instead of splitting up Feb / Oct payments. It would be much easier for me to not have to pay bills that I didn't sign up for, or have to figure out ways to pay for this. And I was happy to send proof of liability insurance when it would save me hundreds of dollars a year. Joining CDHA should be optional, it should not be forced on me. I should have a right to choose. And then, to say we can opt out, but will not get a refund? That is just repulsive. I strongly challenge this decision and plan to participate in any opposition against this decision and the board who has forced this upon us.

As a dental hygienist, I practice by giving my patient treatment options, giving my patient the autonomy to choose an appropriate treatment and receiving informed consent. I find myself disappointed in the college and association for their heavy handed and inappropriate "solution" to the malpractice insurance issue. Dental hygienists in BC have lost the ability to choose their insurance provider and our consent was not requested. It is obvious why hygienists are upset; the ethical values we were taught and we practice with our patients feel violated by our governing body and association. "BCDHA is dedicated to the principle that all British Columbians should have access to the quality preventative oral health services dental hygienists provide". I believe the BCDHA can continue their mission without mandatory membership. Make your membership more attractive or less expensive; perhaps offer a variety of different levels of membership. Would you not rather a voluntary membership, or a resentful arm-twisted membership? "The mission of the College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia (CDHBC) is to protect the public by developing, advocating, and regulating safe and ethical dental hygiene practice in British Columbia." The CDHBC can change the due dates to match the license renewal date - but let your self-governed membership have the autonomy to choose their malpractice insurance provider. This ensures the public is protected. The dental hygiene profession is growing and evolving. More independent practice and more duties in our SOP are coming! If we are to be entrusted with these greater responsibilities that give better access to dental care for the public, should we not be entrusted with the choice to be a member of the association? I am a member of the BCDHA and I support my fellow dental hygienist's right to autonomy and informed consent. Do not force mandatory BCDHA membership.

I am appalled at the college's decision to remove our right to choose our own insurance and force us into being part of the association. The college further refuses to disclose their findings of the audit into the policies is and instead decides for us. Additionally, the college's mandate is to protect the public while the association should be advocating on behalf of the RDHs. To have the two institutions work together to increase revenue for the association is a clear conflict of interest. I strongly oppose the college's streamlined renewal.

BC Dental Hygienists have no voice. All decisions are made by a handful of RDH's who sit on a consulting board along with the College staff and Registrar, who have no education or work experience as Dental hygienists. The College only seems interested in pushing through their personal and political agendas without any input from those most affected by their decisions... those of us who actually work as RDH's. They have taken away our right to choose an affordable insurance provider and are forcing us to now pay $362 a year in membership/Insurance fees. DHPro provides ample insurance plus continuing education courses for $100/year. This is clearly being done for the sole purpose of increasing memberships and income for the BCDHA/CDHA, who stand to take in over $ 1.2 million dollars each year if every RDH in the province is forced into membership. The BCDHA provides nothing of value to me and is a complete money grab. The arguments the College has put forth as their rationale for this forced membership are weak and have no validity. I hope all BC Hygienists will sign this petition,even if you are not affected by this specific mandate. We need to send them a clear message that we have a right to have some input when it comes to the decisions they make that directly affect us.

It's about our rights and choices. You have taken that away from us. Very dissappiting indeed.

I am completely appalled about how CDHBC is treating us. For them to force me and take away my rights to choose my liability insurance provider is absolutely atrocious. To be obliged to pay a cost that I do not choose and/or agree in paying is beyond unfair. I am lost for words.

It is unethical to remove my right to choose who provides my liability insurance. To charge me a much higher amount to line your pockets all the while claiming it is in the publics interest and benefit speaks volumes of the ethics of this organization. It is a complete infringement on my rights and should be illegal. You have no right.

I oppose mandatory membership into a professional organization in order to be licensed to practice dental hygiene in the province of BC. CDHBC is taking away our right to choose and this so called "streamline process" goes beyond their scope as a regulatory body to protect the public.