Program Descriptions

Vocational Programs

Dental Hygiene Program

Regency Dental Hygiene Academy (RDHA) offers an accredited program presented in three equal semesters of 23 weeks each (an additional two weeks are added to the end of each semester for challenge exams and remediation as needed).

Regency is located at 481 University Ave. Suite 400, Toronto, surrounded by four hospitals and only steps away from the St. Patrick subway station. The teaching facilities include 30 modern clinical operatories, classrooms, laboratories, computer and study labs, as well as x-ray facilities for cephalometric, panoramic, and digital radiography. The course curriculum has been designed to meet the requirements of the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).

The program is built around the National Dental Hygiene Competencies, and as such, evidence-based instruction supports the pre-clinical and clinical activities.

Community health practice experiences provide students with opportunities to view and participate in various community health settings, ensuring experience with people of diverse experiences, socio-economic conditions and personal challenges (medicallly compromised and such).

Regency Dental Hygiene Academy delivers a comprehensive education in Dental Hygiene to prepare future hygienists.

The 18 month program provides a broad-based foundation for the changing complexities of health care, equipping students to provide comprehensive dental hygiene care in a variety of settings. Classes and experiences emphasize critical thinking and problem solving skills.  The first semester focuses on developing a solid foundation in both clinical instrumentation and theory.   During the second and third semester you the focus will be balanced between advanced theory and clinical experience. Students learn their skills in a context that emphasizes their important place on the dental health team.

Continuing Education

Orthodontics for Dental Hygienists

Learning Outcomes and Benefits

1. To provide the dental hygienist with the information required to understand the complexities of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning

2. To emphasize the need for appropriate diagnostic records and to understand the interpretation of those records as they relate to the design of a suitable treatment plan

3. To identify the components of an orthodontic malocclusion and create a “problem list”

4. To identify and explore the usage of “fixed” and “removable” orthodontic appliances

5. Bracket placement and removal

6. To explore the pros and cons of “early” vs. “late” treatment initiation

7. To review the philosophies regarding retention and illustrate commonly used retention appliances

8. To review risks and complications associated with orthodontic treatment

To satisfy the above treatment objectives, Drs. Metaxas and Solomon will present extensive lecture material as well as an abundance of clinical cases to illustrate and complement their didactic information.

In order to simulate a typical office scenario, this course will offer a unique “patient screening” workshop.  In this “hands-on” exercise, each hygienist will have the opportunity to evaluate several patients in a clinical setting.  This preliminary assessment will not only help the hygienist recognize the clinical components of an orthodontic malocclusion but will place them in the strategic position to share pertinent information with the patient and/or parent and make recommendations accordingly.  The ethical responsibilities of the hygienist in this setting will also be reviewed. 

In addition, there will be several “hands-on” technique workshops which will focus on cephalometric assessment, bracket bonding and removal, arch wire fabrication and ligation techniques, arch wire adjustments, headgear passivation, etc.  Video demonstrations will complement the lecture material.