Alexandra Sheppard proud to take on presidency of Canadian Dental Hygienists Association

Alexandra Sheppard. Photo supplied.

Alexandra Sheppard is a proud three-time alumna of the University of Alberta. She’s been a dental hygienist for 31 years (nearly 29 of those in the same practice) and, as a clinical professor in the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry since 1999, she has had the pleasure of teaching more than 1,000 students. She was the Alberta director on the board of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) for the past six years and this October, she assumed the role of president. 

Sheppard is honoured to bring her communication skills and passion for the profession, along with how much she has learned about policy governance, to this new role — and proud to represent her alma mater and her profession. 

How has your background at the U of A prepared you for this role?

I am so proud to be an alumna of the U of A. All three of my degrees (BA, DipDH, MEd) are from here. And as a faculty member, on Nov. 25 I was recognized for 25 years of service. The U of A is an important part of my family, too. My dad was a professor of physics at the U of A from 1966 to 1987, when he passed away at only 47 years old. 

The U of A has certainly shaped me and instilled in me professional ethics, and provided the kinds of leadership opportunities that have made it possible for me to become the president of the CDHA. 

What inspires you to reach for leadership opportunities like this? 

My professors and clinical instructors during my two years in the diploma program and colleagues over the past 25 years have shaped me and guided me in becoming the dental hygienist I am today. When I attended my first CDHA conference in 1995 in Saskatoon, I sat with all my former instructors, who took me under their wing. I have had opportunities to be on committees with local dental hygiene societies, the provincial regulatory body, national and international associations. All of these experiences have guided me and instilled in me a sense of responsibility and pride in the profession. 

As president, what will your main focus be?

So many of us are fortunate to have benefit packages or an income that helps us afford dental hygiene appointments. For those who don’t, the negative impact of progressive periodontal disease, caries, loss of teeth, impacts to speech and risk to overall health are significant. If people are able to attend dental hygiene appointments and manage their oral health on a daily basis, they will achieve improved health. 

I’ll be focusing on ongoing promotion and advocacy for the Canadian Dental Care Plan for access to care for the many many people of Canada who cannot afford to have treatment by dental hygienists and dentists. I also plan to advocate for a healthy and respectful workplace environment for dental hygienists. 

How important are dental hygienists in the oral-health profession?

Dental hygienists are primary health-care providers. Our focus on education, prevention and the management of disease is integral to the success of the patient managing their oral health and subsequently their overall health. Here in Alberta, we have the broadest practice standards in the country. Dental hygienists in Alberta diagnose caries and periodontal diseases and provide oral cancer screenings. We do not require orders from a dentist to provide treatments. More and more dental hygienists are providing dental hygiene care as independent practice owners. This is providing more opportunities for Albertans to access oral care.

Why is this role important to you? 

I cannot achieve a higher role than being the president of the CDHA. This is the culmination of my career in dental hygiene. I am honoured that I have this opportunity to be able to promote the dental hygiene profession to the public and policymakers, and to act as an advocate for the more than 22,000 members of the CDHA and all dental hygienists in Canada.