Dental hygiene is a health service profession concerned primarily with the prevention of oral disease and the promotion of optimum oral health. As a licensed professional, the dental hygienist’s scope of practice is regulated by provincial legislation. The dental hygiene process of care consists of four components: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Current practice settings include: Private dental practice, community health centres, institutions (e.g., hospitals, long-term care facilities), primary health care centres, home care and other outreach programs, educational institutions (e.g., universities, community colleges), the military, research, and industry. Dental hygienists acquire competence through instruction in basic sciences, oral health sciences, the humanities and clinical practice. Through more than 600 hours of a competency-based clinical curriculum, students are prepared to meet the needs of a broad range of population groups.

The mission of the School of Dental Hygiene: In a tradition of excellence and progressive learning the University of Manitoba, School of Dental Hygiene prepares future dental hygienists to contribute collaboratively to the health and well-being of the public through oral health promotion and disease prevention.

Practice Requirements
After successful completion of the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board Examination, in Manitoba, graduates must apply to the College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba for a licence to practice as a dental hygienist. In other provinces, Dental hygienists must fulfil the requirements of the respective provincial licensing bodies.