A new Dental Hygiene program is being introduced at the College of Dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) to address the shortage happening across the province.
Currently there is only one certificate program for dental hygienists in Saskatchewan, which is not enough to supply the demand for hygienists entering the workforce, USask recently reported. Many of the working dental hygienists will be retiring from the profession in the next five years plus the population has been increasing, all leading to a need to increase the next wave of hygienists entering the field.
The new program will begin in the fall where 18 students will be admitted and begin their education for a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Students can directly apply from high school as long as they meet the requirements. Application submissions are now open until June 1, 2024.
