I had a call this morning with a dental hygienist who is new to rdhu. She found us through a Facebook ad for Your 2026 Annual QA Guide, which we created to help dental hygienists navigate the CDHO Quality Assurance program.

She has been selected for the 2027 QA Assessment, and she was feeling anxious.

She had completed some learning on various topics, but she hadn't brought it together into clear goals or a plan. She wasn't sure where to begin.

I know she isn't alone.

For many dental hygienists, the thought of a QA assessment brings an immediate wave of worry. Have I done enough? Have I documented it properly? What am I missing?

No matter what province you are registered in, taking time to reflect on your practice, identify areas for growth and apply what you learn is part of our shared commitment to quality client care. The requirements may differ, but the value of purposeful learning extends across our profession.

In Ontario, there are now four assessment paths, offering different ways to demonstrate our knowledge, reflect on our practice and identify opportunities for improvement. Depending on the path, these involve goal-related learning and a peer conversation, a QA test with a Practice Profile or on-site review, or Peer Circles with reflection and coaching.

I appreciate having that choice. But whichever path we choose, there is a bigger conversation to have about how we approach our professional growth.

What if we spent less time worrying about what we haven't done and more time planning what we want to do next?

We still need to understand and meet the requirements of our respective regulatory colleges. But we can approach that work with a sense of direction.

Since starting rdhu in 2009, I have been passionate about helping dental hygienists make this shift.

Where do you want to be this time next year in your practice? What would you like to feel more confident doing? Is there a recurring client concern you want to understand better? What topic makes you curious?

Start there.

When we begin with "Where can I get some free CE?", we may find something interesting. When we begin with a question from our own practice, we give our learning a purpose.

Perhaps you want to improve your instrumentation skills, feel more confident supporting clients with persistent periodontal inflammation, or explore the connection between airway, sleep and oral health.

Once you identify what you want to achieve, you can look for learning and resources that support that goal. Then you can put what you learn into practice, reflect on the results and decide what to explore next.

That is where learning starts to make a difference—for you and for the clients in your care.

There are wonderful complimentary resources available, and I am grateful to the industry partners who help make education accessible to our profession.

There are also programs worth making room for in your professional development budget. Consider the depth of the learning, the opportunity to ask questions, the hands-on experience, and the tools that will help you apply it.

A certificate records your participation. The value continues in what you do with the learning afterward.

That is why we put so much thought into the education we offer through rdhu. Our live streaming and hands-on programs include opportunities to take learning into practice through activities, resources and practical takeaways.

It is also why we have programs like Dental Hygiene Quarterly™ and The RDH View. Sometimes you discover an interest or an opportunity for growth through a topic you wouldn't have known to search for.

We don't always know what we want to learn until someone opens that door.

I use this same approach in my personal and professional life. I picture where I would like to be a year from now and ask myself what steps will help me get there.

We all have busy lives. It is easy for our own development to slide down the list while we take care of everything and everyone else.

But making a little space to plan can be energizing. If you have been feeling stuck or going through the motions, exploring something that interests you might help bring that bounce back to your step.

Many of you reading this already approach your learning with intention. Keep going. Give yourself credit for the changes you are making and the care you put into your growth.

And if you are feeling behind or unsure where to begin, start with one meaningful goal. Choose something relevant to your practice that you would feel good about working toward. Then take the next step.

Imagine looking back this time next year and being able to say: "I am more confident. I have made changes. My clients are benefiting from what I have learned."

That is what I want for our profession. It is why I started rdhu, and why I am still so passionate about what we do.

Dive in. Ask questions. Explore something new. Invest in yourself and give yourself something to look forward to.

What would you like to be different in your practice this time next year?

Warmly,
Kathleen

Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc ~ President, rdhu

Your Professional Growth Partner™