News

The Canadian Foundation for Dental Hygiene Research and Education (CFDHRE) & the Canadian Dental Assistants’ Association (CDAA) Joint Grant Award Winner!

The CFDHRE in partnership with the CDAA is extremely pleased to announce the recipient of our first ever research grant joint venture! Congratulations are extended to the interdisciplinary research team of: Dr. Laura Dempster, DipDH, BScD(DH), MSc, PhD, Dr. Stella Ng, PhD Reg CASLPO, and Dr. Jeff Crukley PhD, FAAA, who are all affiliated with the University of Toronto. Their research proposal is entitled “Evaluation of noise levels in the work environment on dental assistants and dental hygienists hearing and wellness”. As an outcome of the rigorous peer review process conducted by an interdisciplinary team including dental hygiene, dental assisting and audiology, the CFDHRE and the CDAA are delighted to award the team $25,000 to support their research!

The Foundation, in collaboration with the CDAA, was extremely excited to offer research funding for a proposal designed to advance knowledge surrounding the impact of the dental practice environment on dental assistants’ and dental hygienists’ hearing while ensuring the successful research proposal was well aligned with the mission and goals of both the CFDHRE and the CDAA.

The CFDHRE and the CDAA were very pleased to have proposals submitted for consideration representing multidisciplinary research teams looking specifically at the impact of the workplace on dental hygienists’ and dental assistants’ health and well-being. As research funding becomes increasingly difficult to obtain, this collaboration between the CFDHRE and the CDAA, along with input from Speech-Language Audiology Canada (SAC), the CFDHRE was able to provide funding for this targeted research grant.

The CFDHRE is continually seeking support to continue to fund dental hygiene research in Canada. The Foundation is also indebted to the health care professionals who served as peer reviewers for this grant proposal review process. Through the collaboration of CFDHRE, CDAA and SAC, the Foundation is truly an example of an investment in oral health care providers, oral health care and Canadians.

CFDHRE Announces New President
September 1, 2015 - The CFDHRE is pleased to announce that Pauline Imai has assumed the role of President to the Foundation. Pauline received her CDA certificate from Douglas College in 1986, Dental Hygiene Diploma from Vancouver Community College in 1988; Bachelors of Dental Science Degree in 2004, Masters of Science Degree in 2007, and certificate in Higher Teaching and Learning in 2008 from the University of British Columbia, and Doctorate in Education in 2014 from the University of Phoenix. She was awarded the CDHBC Gold Medal, as well as various other scholarships and awards. Dr. Imai is currently the Dental Program Coordinator at MTI Community College. Her research interests include: educational research in the area of student centered learning, RCTs in oral self-care products, and the diabetes – periodontal link.

Dental Charity Ball Donation
June 26, 2015 – Karen Ergus, representing the Dental Charity Ball presented Ondina Love, Executive Director, CFDHRE with a donation of $1658. The proceeds were raised from the first annual Dental Charity Ball that was held on April 11, 2015 in Ottawa, ON. To see the photo click here.

Dental Hygiene Research Priorities
In 2014, through a multi-phase consensus building approach involving multiple levels of stakeholders, the CDHA Research Advisory Committee (RAC) developed dental hygiene research priorities for guiding Canadian dental hygiene researchers over the next several years.

There are three research priorities each recognized as having equal urgency: Capacity Building of the Profession, Risk Assessment and Management and Access to Care and Addressing Unmet Oral Health Needs. Specific examples of each priority are available on the CFDHRE website.

The 2015-2016 CFDHRE Grant competition was focused on these research priorities in that applicants, for the first time, were able to submit grant applications under an ‘open’ category and a new ‘restricted’ category, which required research applications to be directly related to the newly developed research priorities. Such an approach to the grant competition ensures that dental hygiene research becomes increasingly targeted to high priority areas in oral health and dental hygiene care. A description of the grant award research projects are available on the website under the 2015 Award Winners.

CFDHRE funded research published in IJDH
CFDHRE funded research, conducted by Sandra Cobban, Primary Investigator and Dr. Joanne Profetto-McGrath, Co-investigator was published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 9, 2011: 191-198. The research is entitled Dental hygienists' research utilization: influence of context and attitudes.
Research conclusion: These findings support the importance of the practice context and individual attitudes for research uptake by dental hygienists. Knowledge translation theories can inform further research and contribute greater explanatory power to this preliminary model.

ADEA Bulletin features CFDHRE funded research
CFDHRE awarded Dr. Sharon Compton $10,000 for a research project entitled: ElderSMILES (Strengthening Mouthcare in Long-Term Eldercare Settings). To see the ADEA Bulletin coverage of this research project click here.

The Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene shines a spotlight on CFDHRE
An article titled Dental hygiene research in Canada: Expanding knowledge and seizing new opportunities appeared in the November-December 2009 issue of the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene. The article highlighted the first ever Doctoral Research Award and the inaugural Master's Award in dental hygiene research. To read the article, click here.

Prestigious Awards and Grants Support Dental Hygiene Research in Canada
CFDHRE is proud to present two prestigious awards to researchers working to expand the existing body of knowledge of the profession, and to announce its inaugural Doctoral Research Award in the area of dental hygiene. To read the news release, click here.

CFDHRE feature in the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene
A CFDHRE feature, titled A new era for dental hygiene research in Canada, was included in the January-February 2009 issue of the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene. The feature emphasizes the importance of dental hygiene research and includes interviews with funded researchers. To read the feature, click here.

Input into Research Canada's Strategic Plan July 2008
The CFDHRE participated in Research Canada's strategic planning consultation. It was an opportunity for the CFDHRE to assess the value of the proposed strategic direction, from the perspective of the needs of a small research foundation. Research Canada is in its third year of operation. Their strategic plan consists of a new mission statement, 5 priority areas and strategic activities. The Foundation's input will be consolidating into a report which will be finalized in October 2008. To learn more about Research Canada visit http://www.rc-rc.ca/en/.

Giant Step forward for Dental Hygiene Research: New Master's Award
The Canadian Foundation for Dental Hygiene Research and Education (CFDHRE) presents a new Master's Award in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).This is a breakthrough opportunity which celebrates the unique perspective dental hygienists apply to oral health research a focus on prevention and health promotion. This award will significantly influence the dental hygiene research community in Canada by securing funding for dental hygiene research projects at a Master's degree level. For more information about this award, please view the news release here.