New Sask. dental hygienist degree program to offer strictly evening classes
A new dental hygienist degree program is launching at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) in September to help meet a growing demand for oral health specialists.
"This is very big news to the College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, and to the province. We are going to be opening the first dental hygiene degree in Saskatchewan," said Walter Siqueira, dean of the dentistry college.
Amid a nationwide shortage of skilled medical professionals, including in the dental sector, the new program aims to address the growing demand for dental services in the province.
"This is extremely important for the province because we need more dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dental therapists. The College of Dentistry is providing this support to Saskatchewan," Siqueira said.
The program will be unique not only as the only degree option in Saskatchewan — complementing the existing diploma program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Regina — but also in its scheduling.
Classes will be held from 5 to 10 p.m., making it the first program in North America designed to accommodate students who need to continue working during the day.
"We are supporting a niche of the population that is needing to continue to work during the day, and wanting to have the additional training as a dental hygienist and can come to our program," Siqueira said.
The university is set to roll out the program, with eighteen students expected to start this fall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most wanted fugitive in Canada arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The most wanted fugitive in Canada was arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Tuesday night.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Harvey Weinstein appears in court after his New York rape conviction was overturned
Harvey Weinstein was back in a New York courtroom Wednesday for his first appearance since an appeals court last week overturned his 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Dental care program starts accepting claims for 1 million seniors
The first seniors to register with the new federal dental care plan can now start submitting claims.
Wisconsin school district says active shooter 'neutralized' outside middle school
A Wisconsin school district said an active shooter was 'neutralized' outside a middle school in Mount Horeb on Wednesday, and no one inside the building was injured.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.