Independent Practice Connections Café - Presentations

Presenters: Eric Pook, President Cirrus Consulting Group with Yanet Del Sol (RDH)

Moderator: Kelly Turner, PM, BA (Kin), RDH,
Release Date: March 24, 2025

Summary

Are you a dental hygienist dreaming of starting your own storefront hygiene clinic? This engaging and practical webinar is tailored to dental hygienists looking to build and grow a profitable clinic. Whether you’re in the early planning stages or actively building your practice, this session will equip you with actionable steps, provide guidance on navigating leases, and give you some insider knowledge to launch your clinic with confidence. You will hear dental hygienist Yanet Del Sol talk about her experience in building her clinic. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and take the first steps toward owning a thriving dental hygiene practice!

Presenter: Alex Zlatin, MBA, BSc

Moderators: Clayton De Corte, RDH,
Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: April 30, 2024

Summary

As dental hygienist-owned businesses continue to grow across Canada, dental hygiene entrepreneurs may consider expanding their practice. This presentation will offer guidance on staffing considerations and the onboarding process, and we’ll discuss the need to update office protocols and manuals to maintain efficiency, consistency, clarity, and regulation as a growing business. The session will also examine artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can be integrated into your marketing strategy.

Presenters: Gerry Crandles, BA & Regina Maltsman, RRDH

Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: January 12, 2023

Summary

This presentation will guide dental hygienists through the process of buying or selling a dental hygiene business and include topics such as assembling a team and business plan, understanding normalized financial statements, and understanding the valuation and selling processes. Originally presented at our in-person Independent Practice Connections Café session in November 2022.

Presenters: Clayton De Corte, RDH, Tina Mavriyannakis, RRDH, Balbir Sohi, RDH, MSc

Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: January 12, 2023

Summary

Hear from a panel of successful dental hygiene entrepreneurs discussing their challenges and successes of dental hygiene business ownership. Our panellists, Clayton De Corte (former owner of NOWsmile Dental Hygiene, a storefront practice), Tina Mavriyannakis (owner of The Smile Room, providing services in long-term care facilities), and Balbir Sohi (owner of Smiles on Wheels, providing care in an outfitted sprinter van), share their experiences in starting and growing their businesses. Originally presented at our in-person Independent Practice Connections Café session in November 2022.

Presenter: Alex Zlatin, MBA, BSc

Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: March 22, 2022

Summary

Privacy has become a new buzzword. As guardians of sensitive health and financial information for clients both the Custodian and the Privacy Officers are responsible for its safe keeping. The federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) provides a set of guidelines and expectations to ensure those responsible for the information can minimize the risk of data breaches. It is instrumental for all staff to understand their role and responsibility when it comes to privacy rights of clients and responsibilities of the Custodian and Privacy Officers. In this session, we’ll examine the high-level starting points that Custodian and Privacy Offers can implement to ensure your office data is protected.

Presenter: Bernard Dolansky, DDS, BA, MS

Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: November 24, 2021

Summary

Are you planning to buy, sell or start a dental hygiene practice? Whether you are a purchaser, vendor or start-up, there is a lot that you need to understand about the business side of a dental hygiene practice. This interactive session will give you practical tips and strategies that will provide a foundation upon which to prepare the next phase of your professional life.

Presenters: Balbir Sohi, RDH, MSc; Sophie Freeman, RDH; Holly Rynard, RDH; Lisa Carlomusto, RDH

Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: March 24, 2021

Summary

Four engaging video presentations that explore the challenges and successes of dental hygiene practice owners who operate long-term care, storefront, mobile, and home-based businesses. Our panelists Balbir Sohi, Sophie Freeman, Holly Rynard, and Lisa Carlomusto will discuss their motivations, perspectives, trials, and tribulations as entrepreneurs. Prepare to be inspired by their journey!

Presenters: Chelsea Kary, Director, Affinity & Tara Scullion, Broker

Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: December 9, 2020

Summary

This presentation focuses on business coverage and risk management for dental hygiene business owners. BMS provides an overview of the business coverages available under the CDHA Insurance Program, including Clinic/Business Package, Commercial General Liability, Cyber Security and Privacy Liability, Employment Practices Liability, and Legal Entity Insurance. Case studies are used to illustrate insurance portfolio needs depending on different practice circumstances. The presentation also includes common claims and risk management advice.

Presenter: Tamir Wolfson, MBA

Moderator: Donna Wells, RDH, BA
Release Date: October 28, 2020

Summary

This presentation focuses on the best practices of online marketing in the dental hygiene sector. Current real-life case scenarios are reviewed taking into consideration the pillars of an online presence. These pillars include website design, management, maintenance, search engine optimization, and social media marketing. You also learn how to create a respectable online reputation.