By Steve Coyne
The Canadian Institute of Dental Hygiene Inc. will be testing applicants in Calgary for admission to the Hamilton school in November 2005.
“Admission testing outside of our Hamilton school is new for the CIDH,” said Carlo Gorni, CIDH Director of Admissions. “In our past intake, between one third and one half of our students came from the western provinces.”
The program is Canada’s first fully accredited private dental hygiene program. It also runs on a different format than dental hygene programs.
“Traditionally, dental hygiene programs run from September to May,” explained Gorni. “We run a continuous program with three 24 week semesters.”
Students’ Union Vice-President Academic Laura Schultz expressed concern over the private sector’s entry into dental hygiene programs.
“Private institutions have their place, but I’d be tempted to look even further down the list, such as in B.C.” Schultz said. “I also wonder how dentists in Calgary would look at a private institution, especially one that had yet to develop a reputation.”
Schultz encouraged interested students to be smart shoppers and investigate the program themselves.
Testing takes place at the Ramada Downtown Calgary on March 12 and 13 at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on both days. More information can be found at www.cidh.on.ca or by phone at 1-877-550-2443.