I can't believe we're already at the end of July.
Every year I tell myself I'm going to slow down and enjoy summer just a little longer, and then suddenly August is around the corner and we're already preparing for another exciting year of learning together.
This past week, our rdhu team gathered for our annual retreat up north. Along with reconnecting as a team (which is always one of my favourite parts), one of the highlights was meeting with our Educational Advisory Committee.
Every summer, we intentionally step away from the day-to-day work to reflect on the past year, review your feedback, discuss emerging evidence and trends in our profession, and thoughtfully plan the educational experiences we'll bring to you in the year ahead.
As we sat around the table this week, one question kept guiding our conversation:
How can we help dental hygienists stay current, stay connected, and continue growing with confidence?
That question guides everything we do.
It also reminded me why we created two of our favourite learning opportunities.
Dental Hygiene Quarterly™ (DHQ) was designed for the clinician who wants a simple, structured way to stay current throughout the year.
Each quarter, you'll explore three evidence-informed topics, reflect on what you've learned, and identify practical ways to implement new ideas into practice. Instead of wondering what to learn next, your continuing education is already thoughtfully curated for you.
Three hours each quarter may not seem like much, but over the course of a year those small, consistent steps create meaningful professional growth while helping you stay current and supporting your ongoing Quality Assurance requirements.
After all, our profession is constantly evolving. Professional growth isn't about trying to learn everything. It's about consistently learning, reflecting, and implementing—one idea, one course, and one quarter at a time.
The All Access Virtual Pass™ (AAVP) was created for a different reason.
Throughout the year we meet incredible presenters and discover topics that make us say, "Every dental hygienist needs to hear this."
Rather than asking you to decide course by course, we wanted to make it easy to simply say yes whenever a topic sparks your interest.
Whether it's nutrition, digital dentistry, documentation, implants, radiography, mental health, menopause, oral probiotics, sleep, or another emerging topic, your pass gives you access to our live streaming programs throughout the year so you can continue learning without having to think twice.
Although DHQ and the AAVP are different, they were both created with the same purpose:
To help you stay current. Stay connected. And continue growing with confidence.
If you've been thinking about how you'd like to approach your professional development over the coming year, this is also the time of year when we open our two annual Summer Specials.
Dental Hygiene Quarterly™ Summer Special
Our Summer Special provides a full year of curated, evidence-informed continuing education designed to help you stay on track—one quarter at a time. This special is available until August 31st.
The AAVP is offered only during the summer months. Because we intentionally limit the number of passes available each year, once they're gone—or once summer comes to an end—they won't be available again until next summer.
Whether you choose DHQ, the AAVP, attend individual courses, or continue learning in another way, my hope is that you'll make your professional growth a priority.
The happiest people I know are those who never stop learning and growing.
Have a wonderful week, and I hope you're making time to slow down and enjoy the summer.
Warmly,
Kathleen
Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc ~ President, rdhu
