APPDHA Latest News

Back blogged.........and how !!

2011-09-14T12:57:00.000-07:00

Well that year just flew and I truly am "back blogged" to borrow a new term. So here's my attempt to catch everyone up....
We warmly welcome all our new members and are excited to see this industry growth continue. The members have helped each other in many areas of practice, discussing all aspects of private practice dental hygiene during our meetings each year. And we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our great guest speakers this year. Your knowledge and help has been an immense blessing to us.
As more and more Albertans discover the advantages of ppdh, many rdh are opening storefront and mobile clinics all across the province. Each success story gives you a glimpse into the entrepreneurial spirit it takes to be pioneers in this great profession.
This year we will be hosting seminars on mobile care and the elderly, IPC standards, pilot projects available, business helps and much more. The board is always available to members at any time for support and help. Please email us if you have any questions........and welcome aboard !!!

Green Shield accepting claims !

2010-11-19T14:23:00.001-08:00

We finally have confirmation that Green Shield will accept PPDH claims. Should you run into problems please contact Green Shield and I can forward a copy of the statement they announced earlier stating the coverage. Congradulations to all the PPDH who let their voices be heard !

October 2nd Meeting in Calgary

2010-09-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

We are meeting on October 2nd at 10:00am in Calgary for the day. An officer from Occupational Health and Safety will present to us the regulations and requirements of our practices in regards to the standards set by the government. He will have material handouts and can answer any questions you may have about your practices, both mobile and store front.
Please plan to attend both the morning session for members only AGM and the afternoon session with OHS. The afternoon is open to all RDH in Alberta. There is no charge for the meeting. We are asking all attendees to bring a small snack to share and confirm you are coming as attendance is limited for the afternoon. Please email Tracey through the APPDHA website and you will be sent the details of the meeting. Thanks and looking forward to seeing everyone again.....

Going it the Mobile Way...

2010-03-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

It has been almost two and half years since I opened up my business providing “mobile” oral health services! As, I look back I can’t believe how far I have come.

I provide oral health services on location for seniors and those living with disabilities. Most of my daily schedule involves going to long-term care facilities to provide exams, x-rays, ‘teeth cleaning’, and other services such as caries control. Many of these individuals have not had access to preventive services, as many dentists do not provide services on-site for these individuals. There are even few dental hygienists in the Calgary area providing this essential service.

Many families are grateful for having a mobile service. The stress on caregivers and the families in taking care of their loved ones living in a long-term care is sometimes overwhelming. There are many appointments that are needed outside of the care facilities. This makes it hard to schedule regular on-going preventive care outside of such institutions. Many family members and caregivers are still working and have to schedule days off for these appointments. Transportation involving the handi-bus may also make one appointment take up a whole day. There are many letters and notes thanking me for all that I do on-site for our seniors. Those especially with dementia find change hard, which includes being taken out for appointments.
I also provide oral care to the general public and many that are insured under the Alberta Health and Welfare program at Amery Denture Centres in the Northeast of Calgary. Many of these individuals have not been seen by a dental health care professional in a long time. This is providing a great need for those in the underserved population. It is truly a rewarding experience!

I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of our seniors. They have a lifetime of experiences to share. It is wonderful to hear their stories and remember those that have passed. It helps me to remember never to take life for granted.

Next Meeting AGM in June 09

2009-03-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

Our next meeting will be on June 6th, 2009 and it will be our AGM. Details of where and when are being ironned out but set the 6th aside to come and network. We will have speakers again, maybe a few less this time, our AGM and you can learn what the latest news is for private practice dental hygiene across the province and Canada. Looking forward to seeing everyone there and perhaps some new members as well. In the meantime, stay warm!

2009 March

2009-03-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all who attended the APPDHA Winter Meeting in Red Deer, Alberta. We missed our members who couldn't be there. Here's a brief summary of the meeting....
Danielle Smith of CFIB spoke to us about various legislative events affecting our industry and how we can make a difference. She had so much valuable information for our individual businesses as well, such as employee standards, safety standards and even PIPA information. I would encourage all members of APPDHA to call CFIB today and join their incredible work.

Sheena Osinchuk from Dentsply Canada spoke to us about the wonderful sponsorship offers her company is giving APPDHA members. She to had valuable information on Dentsplys' latest technologies and current specials. Please call Sheena to begin benefiting from Dentsplys' offers to us.

Aldean Stachiw from Colgate Canada spoke to our group about their latest line up of products and special offers to our members. Colgate has a new wonderful program for buying toothbrushes, floss, pastes and it comes with a free bag for patient handouts. She has been generous to our members with free samples to support our offices and I thank her for all her hard work.

Stacy Mackie and Darlene Fraser from The College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta spoke to our members about advertising rules and current issues we face as a new industry. They were so gracious in their presentation and very understanding of our concerns and we thank them for their time and efforts.

APPDHA is truly proud to be associated with all these presenters and look forward to great working relationships in the future. We thank all those who gave freely of their time and thank you for the free products.

Please email me for more information you would like on the event and how to contact our great sponsors. Bye for now and watch for the next meeting to be scheduled in early summer.

Year End News

2008-12-16T20:07:00.000-08:00

As 2008 closes, I am reminded how busy we all have been with our new businesses. Who else could manage a new business, in a new industry, a home full of chores waiting for us each night, a family fighting for our attention, friends on the phone reminding us how little we talk these days, our own evening classes, parent/teacher interviews, getting kids to hockey rinks all over this province and daughters to dance and gym? Only a dedicated, entrepeneur, business owner, mother, wife, sister and friend. No wonder we are all exhausted..........but Christmas is knocking at the door and there's been no time for shopping and decorating. It's all so overwhelming ! But I have good news.......we are finally settling in. This past year of frenzy is not all bad. It has brought with it a directional path which leads us to success and peace. Knowing we are doing what we are supposed to be doing, allows a certain peace and calmness amongst the madness of our days. I still go home tired, reeling from all the work still to be done, but I know that I know, I am doing what is right. With no regrets, I trudge forward and hope to be inspirational to those who walk beside me in this crazy world. We can proudly say as professionals, as sisters, as friends and women of integrity, we are moving forward and living in truth each moment we work and live. I am proud to be associated with all the members of APPDHA, you inspire so many. Send out your blessings and receive them always. Best wishes for the holidays and Merry Christmas!!
Tracey Cote RDH

Credit Card users and vendors BEWARE!

2008-10-27T17:43:00.001-07:00

My local CFIB representative came by with very disturbing information that affects all of us and so I am compelled to pass this along.

Credit card companies, pretty much all of them, now have cards circulating and being used daily and everywhere, that charge an extra percentage to the vendor unknowingly when the card is swiped. So even though you worked hard to negotiate your percentage with your bank, the credit card company is allowed to charge extra for these "super cards" that have features such as no fees, no hassle etc. There is no way to distinguish the cards from any other normal credit cards, but each month check your statement with your point of sale machine merchant to see if you have been targeted. The best advice I was given was to reconcile the charges with a kind protest to your bank. These cards have been deemed illegal in Europe after their introduction there a while ago. We need the same support here as vendors in North America, so get in touch with your politicians both provincial and municipal to let them know. I have also contacted our local paper here, they are soon to run a story about these cards.

Green Shield accepting claims on line

2008-10-27T17:42:00.001-07:00

Green Shield Canada is now accepting our dental hygiene claims on-line from private practice dental hygienists. To register for the new service, go to http://www.greenshield.ca/ click on forms under health care providers and forms again. Once you have registered yourself, GS will contact you with your provider number which you use to make on line claims. Insurance companies are offering this service to all providers, rather than using a privately owned "net" that we are used to seeing in dentistry. It allows for faster submission, payments and service by their company to the end user. I am sure there will be more companies offering this service in the near future. I'm on........are you?

APPDHA members at Pacific Rhapsody

2008-09-18T09:18:00.001-07:00

Wow....what a great weekend for learning on the Vancouver coast!

Some APPDHA members spent their weekend at the Continuing Education Solutions event Sept 12-13 and we can all rave about the fantastic speakers and topics presented. Nancy Smith, RDH hosts the Pacific Rhapsody every year to over two hundred dental hygienists in beautiful Vancouver, BC. She always brings us the best speakers from across North America and they present on the latest topics,technologies and studies to date, so every has the most current information when they leave the two day conference. You have the opportunity to network with leaders from all over during the cocktail hour and shop the incredible line up of businesses present. The exhibitor booths are a wonderful source for us to resource equipment and technologies and sample the newest products on the market.

I encourage everyone to attend these highly successful events and bring a friend. The next event Nancy will host is the Banff Rhapsody March 20-21/09 at the beautiful and luxurious Banff Park Lodge in Alberta.

Book your reservation early, this is a popular event. Visit the website to see the line up of speakers and topics already coming at www.conedgroup.com and yes.......APPDHA will be there!

Tracey Cote RDH
WildRose Dental Hygiene Centre

The Only One of its Kind...

2008-07-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

A first....that I know of... has happened in Alberta, Canada. The Association of Private Practice Dental Hygienists of Alberta has launched into existence. From all over Alberta APPDHA members are proud to be part of the first association of its kind. Thank you to all those whose support and hard work has made this possible.

Over the next few weeks, the web pages at www.MyDentalHygienitst.ca will be built and will include information on membership, our mission statement, our directors, how to find a PPDH in your area, FAQ's, Did you know? page, links, contact us, and much more. This blog page will be updated as well, as frequently as possible.

As the world watches Alberta grows in many industries, ours is one of those who's beginnings started over fifteen years ago when a Dental Hygienist had a vision for independent practices across the province. She worked endlessly to see it come to fruition only 18 months ago. Since then, 24 private practice dental hygiene businesses are now in existence. I am sure she is thrilled to see her dream fulfilled and our practices thriving, thanks to many entrepreneurs in the province.

All the best to those already in private practice, and to those who wished to be........we are here to help. Contact us with your questions and arrange to meet with one of us, we are only too happy to promote our industry.
And now.........it's off to work because......... I owe, I owe.......

Regards,
Tracey Cote RDH
WildRose Dental Hygiene Centre
p. 403-609-9555
www.wildrosedentalhygiene.ca

APPDHA to launch website

2008-07-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

In 2006 the legislation governing dental hygienists in Alberta changed, allowing us to open our own businesses. We are members of and registered with the College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta, the governing body for our profession in Alberta. The new Dental Hygienists Profession Regulation can be viewed on the College's website at www.crdha.ca We also are members of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association. www.cdha.ca

The Association of Private Practice Dental Hygienists of Alberta is presently being organized. We will be launching our website soon at www.myDentalHygienist.ca On our web pages you will find information about who we are, what we do and where you can find a private practice dental hygienist in your area.