The British Columbia Dental Hygienists’ Association (BCDHA) is the professional association representing dental hygienists across British Columbia. Its mission is to support dental hygienists through advocacy, professional development, and resources that enhance their careers and the quality of oral health care in the province. 

The CDA Alliance collaborates closely with BCDHA to support Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) in similar ways. BCDHA provides resources, infrastructure, and support to the CDA Alliance enabling them to offer CDAs the professional support they need, connecting them with tools, continuing education, practice resources and likeminded oral health professionals to improve their work and patient care. 

Through this collaboration, BCDHA and the CDA Alliance together work toward strengthening working relationships between the entire oral health team fostering a more cohesive, supportive environment for all oral health professionals in the working environment.  

Recognizing the need for more support and resources specific to CDAs, CDA educators and concerned CDAs struck a service agreement with the British Columbia Dental Hygienists’ Association (BCDHA) to ensure CDAs had access to valuable resources. Through this agreement, the CDA Alliance is able to ensure CDAs have current professional development opportunities, access to employment supports, member negotiated benefits and perks. Essentially,  it serves as a resource hub, helping CDAs thrive in their careers and improve the quality of care for BC residents.

CDAs want the same as anyone else: a fair living wage, respect in the workplace, and to feel valued by employers who follow the Employment Standards Act, particularly regarding clear boundaries around unpaid extra duties. They hope for regular cost-of-living increases so they don’t have to constantly fight for fair compensation, health benefits to support their well-being, and retirement plans to secure their future. CDAs seek employers who understand the importance of creating a positive work environment that supports the health and happiness of their employees.

Professional Advocacy, first and foremost, Joining the CDA Alliance helps CDAs stay informed, build meaningful connections, and work together with dental hygienists and other oral health care professionals to create stronger workplace relationships and improve CDA job satisfaction, ultimately keeping CDAs in their profession 

You can purchase a CDA Alliance membership directly through the CDA Alliance website. Visit the Membership section to choose the membership type that suits you—whether you’re a current CDA, recent graduate, or student. Simply follow the instructions to complete your registration and access all the benefits the alliance offers, including professional development, networking opportunities, and valuable resources tailored for Certified Dental Assistants in British Columbia. 

Professional Liability Insurance is crucial for protecting CDAs from potential legal claims related to their work. While many CDAs have relied on their dental employers for coverage, having their own insurance provides added peace of mind and financial protection. It ensures that CDAs are personally safeguarded in the event of lawsuits, securing their professional practice.

CDAs want the same as anyone else: a fair living wage, respect in the workplace, and to feel valued by employers who follow the Employment Standards Act, particularly regarding clear boundaries around unpaid extra duties. They hope for regular cost-of-living increases so they don’t have to constantly fight for fair compensation, health benefits to support their well-being, and retirement plans to secure their future. CDAs seek employers who understand the importance of creating a positive work environment that supports the health and happiness of their employees.

The CDA Alliance hopes for regulation of the certified dental assisting profession acknowledging the value of CDAs alongside our oral health colleagues. We believe that regulation would encourage professionalism, and attract more talent to the field, ensure proper standards of employment, and ultimately, improving dental care for British Columbians.