Dental Hygienists' Offline Exchange Successfully Concludes in Toronto

From 14:00 to 16:00 on November 10, 2024, a highly anticipated offline exchange event for dental hygienists was held at CHAT Insurance in Markham, Toronto. Hosted by the Ontario Chinese Dental Hygienists Association, the event leveraged the association’s Xiaohongshu community "Yi Yi Ya Ya" for promotion. Registration via Eventbrite.ca opened on September 2, 2024, and quickly drew widespread attention, ultimately gathering numerous dental hygienists and industry professionals to discuss emerging trends and share expertise in a lively atmosphere.

Dual Focus on Professional Growth and Wellbeing: A Holistic Learning Experience

The event centered on two core themes: career development and health planning, offering participants in-depth knowledge sharing and practical insights.

In the career development segment, industry veterans delivered impactful talks. Howard Ma, RDH (dental assistant instructor) and Emma Gu, RDH (orthodontic specialty representative) shared their career journeys, outlining clear pathways for professional advancement. Belinda Pow, RN (oral surgical anesthesiology expert) and Chenchen Sun, RDH (pediatric dentistry representative) expanded the scope of participants’ expertise by exploring niche areas within the field.

The health planning segment was equally robust. Fiona Cheng, Vice President of CHAT Insurance, and Jeff Feng, an insurance broker, provided tailored guidance on health insurance planning for dental hygienists. Haili M, an Active Pilates instructor, demonstrated practical exercises to alleviate occupational strain, while registered psychotherapist Xing Fen shared strategies for managing stress in high-pressure work environments. “The event felt like a ‘professional recharge’—it not only clarified my career path but also addressed real health concerns,” noted a participant, Ms. Li.

Collaborative Support: Sponsorships and Community Drive Success

The event’s success was bolstered by collaborative efforts from multiple stakeholders. Diamond sponsors included CHAT Insurance, which provided venue support and integrated industry resources into the program, and DAZ VIRTUAL ARTISAN, adding a digital innovation perspective. Platinum sponsor ACTIVE PILATES contributed expertise to the health planning segment, while gold sponsors—CHOU CHOU (culinary), TEA STATION (media), and ShaGha Healthcare (medical)—enriched the experience through diverse support. The blend of coffee aromas and the rustle of note-taking created a relaxed yet focused atmosphere.

Industry Outlook: A New Engine for Growth

“We aim to build a ‘warm and profound’ industry hub where dental hygienists can enhance their skills and find professional belonging,” stated event hosts April Lin, RDH, and Joanne Weng, RDH. Attendees echoed this sentiment, noting not only knowledge gains but also cross-industry connections forged during the event.

“This event showed me that dental hygienists are no longer ‘working in isolation’—we’re part of a collaborative, growing community,” shared a participant, Mr. Zhang. “I hope the association will organize more such exchanges to elevate the industry’s service standards.”

The event’s success not only provided a high-quality learning platform but also injected new momentum into the industry through its “professional+health+resource” model. As the Ontario Chinese Dental Hygienists Association continues to deepen its industry engagement, the professional value and public recognition of dental hygienists are poised for broader growth.