Spotlight: Dental Programs at Camosun College

Camosun College campuses are located on the traditional territories of the Lkwungen and WSÁNEĆ Peoples. We acknowledge their welcome and graciousness to the students who seek knowledge here, and the faculty/staff who work, live and play on these lands. 

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The Dental Programs at Camosun College are some of the oldest programs offered since the early days of the school’s history. The Certified Dental Assistant Program has existed for almost 50 years and the Dental Hygiene Diploma Program has been established for 32 years.

These quality programs have graduated oral health professionals and employed faculty who have become leaders in the profession. For example, the Chair of Dental Programs, Mandy Hayre, was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award and life membership from the Canadian Dental Hygienists’ Association, the highest dental hygiene award in Canada, for her contribution and service over many decades.   

Camosun College also obtained approval for the Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene degree in 2022 and hopes to commence offering the program in 2024. Additionally, the college is in the process gaining approval to offer a Dental Office Reception Program.

There is a strong entrepreneurial spirit at Camosun College, resulting in amazing initiatives. The Low-Cost Dental Clinic provides restorative dental care to members of the community at a dental practice on campus. Our outreach programs include providing dental hygiene care to those experiencing homelessness, Syrian refugee community members, complex care patients and more. Each year, Camosun College provides field school and exchange opportunities for their students in Japan, Sweden and Mexico. 

Camosun College continued to run their clinical courses throughout the pandemic with the assistance of faculty, the regulatory body, the Office of the Public Health Officer and Camosun College’s Occupational Health and Safety team. Adjustments were made, but students graduated on time, without compromises to the curriculum and program learning outcomes. Recently the building underwent extensive renovations and now has a new look.

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The pandemic also changed the way we use personal protective equipment, and the graduating class of CDAs celebrated the “new look” with a unique graduation picture collage!  

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Camosun College is also excited to announce the opening of the Wilna Thomas Building, which is designed and designated for student use only. It has wonderful flexible learning spaces, meeting rooms, an event hall, lounge areas, informal spaces, a coffee shop and eating area with large screen TV and cafeteria, quiet study rooms, classrooms and more for students. Students use the space extensively and are enjoying these new learning spaces!

Courtesy of Camosun College Certified Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene Programs

Published on January 11, 2023