Accent on Assisting

June, 2019 Year 2019, Issue 4

It seems like only yesterday I was wishing everyone a safe and happy holi-

day season - and now we can bring back out the sun hats and flip-flops! It's

safe to say summer is once again upon us and we are well into the 2019

year. It's been a busy and productive few months for your council, and it is

my pleasure to update my fellow members on what your council has been

up to.

We held a council meeting in February 2019 in Regina. An environmental scan is conducted at each meeting of council. This environmental scan is used to direct the Executive Director and to keep council moving forward with current topics and issues in our communities. At this meeting, we dis-cussed putting a strong focus on mental health within the dental office - patients and team. These are always great discussions and I always look forward to seeing where the council will head next. If you as members are ever wishing to see the SDAA moving in a certain direction, or have a topic you would like to see us work on, do not hesitate to reach out to us through sdaa@sasktel.net. We love to hear from you.

On top of all of the regular scheduled council tasks and duties here are a couple other things we have worked on:

• Contracted the development of an Oral Assessment & Screening Manual for dental assistants employed in public health (revisions are underway)

• Contracted an educator to update the online IPC course; members may log in through the member portal to re-view the course material and complete the test (2 credits)

• Requested SK Polytechnic for an online Elastomeric Separator Course and if necessary will contract the develop-ment

• Approved a standard curriculum for Orthodontic Courses so that all courses in Canada are teaching the same com-petencies and gap training will not be required in the future

• Moved our Professional Liability Insurance to PROLINK. There is an increased cost but there is increased bene-fit. Information is available on the website

We have had a few members - Shout out to course developer Deb Markwart as well as Sandra Barker-Schmidt and Doneane Papandreos; who were hard at work over the last year to develop both surgical and restorative implant courses. These courses are completed and registration is now open, as of June 1, 2019. With the increased use of den-tal implants in general practice, this course is a great addition!

I had the absolute pleasure of attending the accreditation site visit at SAIT/USASK Dental Assisting course at the begin-ning of April. It was great to see the process, and to see how much hard work is put into these site visits. BIG shout out to Susan, our Executive Director for all the hours she put into the reporting for this visit. I look forward to hearing the results later this year. I hope we can register some new assistants soon.

(Continued on page 2)

Karly Edwards, RDA, President of SDAA

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National Dental Assisting

Examining Board Suite 204—2283 St. Laurent Blvd

Ottawa ON K1G 5A2

Phone: (613) 526-3424

Fax: (613) 526-5560

email: office@ndaeb.ca

web page: www.ndaeb.ca

Stephen Grundy

Chief Administrative Officer

Saskatchewan Dental

Assistants’ Association

Box 294

Kenaston SK S0G 2N0

Monday to Thursday

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Phone: (306) 252-2769

Fax: (306) 252-2089

email: sdaa@sasktel.net

web page: www.sdaa.sk.ca

Office Location:

603 – 3rd Street

Kenaston SK

STAFF

ED/Registrar: Susan Anholt

PD Coordinator: Jannelle Claypool

Admin Assistant: Kim Johnson

September 28, 2019—SDAA PD, Saskatoon Inn

September 27-29, 2019 —Northern Health & Wellness Day

November 1 & 2, 2019 —SDAA Council Meeting, Regina

February 7 & 8, 2020 —SDAA Council Meeting, Saskatoon

April 24, 2020 — SDAA Council Meeting, Regina

April 25, 2020 —SDAA AGM & PD Event, Regina

September 19, 2020—SDAA PD Event, Saskatoon

November 6 & 7, 2020 SDAA Council Meeting, Sandman, Saskatoon

February 5 & 6, 2021—SDAA Council, Saskatoon

April 23, 2021—SDAA Council, Saskatoon

April 24, 2021—SDAA AGM & PD Event, Saskatoon

September, 2021—TBA, Regina

November 5 & 6, 2021 —SDAA Council, Regina

Calendar of Events

Job Board

Visit the SDAA website to track new job opportunities

www.sdaa.sk.ca

On that note, I know I may sound like a broken record, but I cannot stress enough how important it is for our current members to mentor new members. This is a great profession but without great mentor-ship, new members might get scared off by the craziness that is a den-tal office! We ALL know what I mean!

Council approved a second term for directors Dawn Schmaus, Lisa Lee and Colleen Kennedy. Council approved a second year as President and President Elect respectively for Karly Edwards and Gillian Isabelle.

Last but not least, we held the Annual General Meeting on April 27,

2019 in Regina, SK. I was sad to see the poor attendance, but was hap-

py to have those that came. Along with all the usual AGM business

(budget reports, membership reports, etc., etc.) the SDAA Council

opened a potentially very exciting conversation on additional career

pathways for dental assistants and saw a presentation by past presi-

dent Jillian Nault. You can read more about it in the “Explore Career

Pathways” in this publication.

I want to remind you all, Dental Assistants are an integral part of the

Oral Health Team and you should all be proud of yourselves and happy

with your career choice! Roll on to the heat of Sask!

Karly Edwards, RDA

(Continued from page 1)

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25 Year Service Awards

Katherine Adams

Trina Brooks

Tasha Cockwill

Janice Cuff

Elizabeth Desrosiers

Toni Duckworth

Cynthia Giesbrecht

Shelley Hildebrandt

Shannon Klotz

Sue-Anne Knights

Laura Knot

Wendy Kuka

Laurie Kuliasa

Krissa McIntyre

Melanie McLean

Melissa Meyer

Tina Miller

Lisa Peterson

Melany Pickford

Christine Sayers

Melonie Schultz

Dana Senick

Acknowledging Years in the Profession

30 YEARS

Della Fournier

Leanne Hornle

Connie Merkosky

Fay Pilatus

Susan Riehl

Leanne Semenchuck

Mary Ann Syrenne

Mary Voth

40 YEARS

Elizabeth Belisle

Sandra Blue

Barbara Firth

Debra Hansen

Joyce Huber

Joanne Jeworski

Colleen Kazakoff

Beverley Kreway

Lorraine Leslie

Birgit Lessing

Alison Liable

Debbie Loehndorf

Karen Romick

Norma Sheppard

Kim Smith

45 YEARS

Cheryl Redekopp

Gail Wilkins

35 YEARS

Vicki Bosch

Sheryl Coleman

Sarah Doerksen

Lark Fleming

Shelley Frey

Donna Gignac

Arden Hanna

Patricia Hersikorn

Connie Hiltz

Carol Karppinen

Connie McCrea-Woloshyn

Linda Miller-Jones

Vivian Muench

Diana Nagy

Andrea Ring

Candice Romanuik

Joy Schneider

Sandra Stenerson

Shannon Stevenson

Patricia Tomyn

Rhonda Van Driel

Pamela Vives

“We have so many amazing dental

assistant who have contributed

significant years of service to the

profession and to the oral health of

the residents of our province.”

Thank you all!

Melissa Meyer, RDA—25 Year Service Award Recipient

Saskatchewan Polytechnic Post Graduate Courses

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Orthodontic Assistant (DENT-1610) September 7 & 8, October 28 & 29, 2019 8:30-5:00 Home study materials available online by July 15 Lab components to be completed by May 14, 2020

Orthodontic Assistant-Partial Skills (DENT-1620) September 21, 2019 9:00-4:00

Gingival Retraction Cord (DNTL-1602) October 19, 2019 9:00-12:00 AND May 2, 2020 9:00-12:00 Home study materials distributed in advance of course date

Radiation QA for Dental Offices (DENT-1618 print/distance) registration open throughout October 21-December 13, 2019 January 20-March 13, 2020 April 27, 2020-June 1, 2020

Dispensary Assistant IPC (DENT-1622 online) registration open throughout September 3-October 25, 2019 November 4-December 20, 2019 January 6-March 6, 2020 March 9-May 1, 2020

Provisional Crown (DENT-1617) November 2, 2019 Home study materials distributed by October 14, 2019 March 28, 2020 Home study materials distributed by March 2, 2020

Insertion & Carving of Amalgam Restorations (DENT-1600) Home study materials distributed by July 29, 2019 LABS: September 21 & 22, 2019 9:00-4:00 Assignments due November 8, 2019 Clinical due December 13, 2019

Insertion & Carving of Amalgam Restorations (DENT-1600) Home study materials distributed by February 10, 2020 Labs March 21/22, 2020 9:00-4:00 Assignments due April 24, 2020 Clinical due June 5, 2020

Dental Implant Surgery (DNTL-1605 online) September 3—September 30, 2019 OR January 13—February 10, 2020 Access to course materials will be given on the course start date

Dental Implant Prosthetics (DNTL-1607) LAB: October 26, 2019 9:00-5:00 Home study begins October 7, 2019 OR LAB: April 18, 2020 9:00-5:00 Home study begins March 20, 2020

Dental Assisting Re-entry (DNTL-1603) June 22-June 26, 2020 Course information will be sent out early May, 2020

Return to Dental Assisting (DNTL-1604) September 3-December 20, 2019

2019-2020 Sask Polytech Extension Dental Courses Registration will open June 1, 2019 **Note-course dates subject to change** Please access courses via: https://saskpolytech.ca/programs-and-courses/part-time-studies/health-sciences.aspx?utm_source=short-url

RDA NEEDED

SDAA requires two practising RDAs to serve on the Curricu-lum & Credentials Committee.

YOU MUST BE:

• Currently practising as a RDA;

• Utilizing a broad range of their competencies.

• Critical thinking.

• Futuristic but aware of public safety.

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SDAA Professional Development

SDAA/SDHA: NEW PRODUCTS && MENTAL HEALTH & THE WORKPLACE

DATE: Saturday, September 28, 2019

REGISTERATION OPENS: 8:15am

BREAKFAST: 8:15-9:00am

LOCATION: Saskatoon Inn

Saskatoon SK

Presentations include:

Kristy Charlton from Dentsply Sirona will offer a product update, presenting

new restorative products including their class II selection of products

(sectional matrix systems, bonding materials, flowable, resin composite, cur-

ing lights, and finishing systems).

Diana Bye will present on ‘Tools and techniques to reduce stress, anxiety, and

overwhelm in (and out of) the office” , her understanding of the role of the

oral health professional promises to make this an engaging presentation.

Amanda Guthrie from OUT Saskatoon will be introducing participants to the

foundations of identity, terminology, proper language, experiences that peo-

ple within the LGBTQ2S community have had with the healthcare system,

and inclusive practices that can be implemented within healthcare settings so

Queer and Trans patients have better experiences. Resources will also be

provided.

Lee Hinton from Saskatchewan Prevention Institute will present on Early

Childhood Mental Health, tailored to a dental audience.

CE Credits based on sign in/sign out 1 per hour

Registration Deadline: September 25, 2019 @ 5:00pm

SDAA members are encouraged to login online and register through the SDAA

website at www.sdaa.sk.ca.

Non-members can register directly on the website or by mail, email or fax.Non

members may use e-transfer (answer is PD2019)

Online bill payments, cheques or money orders are accepted. Please be advised

that refunds are not available unless your registration is cancelled prior to the

course.

For more information

Visit our website at www.sdaa.sk.ca or

Call 306-252-2769

(feel free to leave a message and a call back number)

THANK YOU

SDAA extends a most sincere thank you to the following individuals for their dedicated service to the Curriculum & Credentials Committee.

When you are efficient and effective, long term ap-pointments sometimes happen. Council recently determined that com-mittees terms should be managed similarly to coun-cil.

• Karen Hannah (6 terms)

• Alison Liable (5 terms)

• Cathy Wright (2 terms)

NORTHERN ORAL HEALTH &

WELLNESS DAY

This year there is a new

interprofessional initia-

tive where we are

teaming up with other

health professionals to

provide overall health

to these members who

are in need. We are

looking at providing

services such as mental

health, blood pressure

checks, blood glucose

monitoring, nutritional

counselling, dental as-

sessments, dental hy-

giene care and restora-

tive treatment.

Northern Oral Health & Wellness Day

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You are invited to participate in Northern Health and Wellness Day oc-

curring in the communities of Ile-a-la-Crosse, Buffalo Narrows, La Loche

and Clearwater, Saskatchewan on September 27 and 28, 2019. Over a

three-day period last year, we provided care for 94 people and an esti-

mated $26,000 worth of dentistry was performed. This year is a new in-

terprofessional initiative where we are teaming up with other health pro-

fessionals to provide overall health to these members who are in need.

We are looking at providing services

such as mental health, blood pressure

checks, blood glucose monitoring, nu-

tritional counselling, dental assess-

ments, dental hygiene care and restor-

ative treatment. We cannot hold this

event without the skills and knowledge of our volunteers. We are plan-

ning on leaving Regina on Thursday, September 26 in the afternoon and

stopping in Saskatoon and Prince Albert to pick up volunteers. On Sun-

day, September 29 we will be leaving Buffalo Narrows in the late morn-

ing/early afternoon after enjoying some of the local amenities in the ar-

ea. Northern Saskatchewan is breathtaking and you will be able to take

in the scenic landscape and wildlife experiences. This is an event you will

not forget and you will be serving a community that experience many

barriers in accessing care. Continuing education credits are offered for

those participating in this event. Accommodations, food and snacks for

the event are provided and you must be able to depart on the specified

days and be available at the pick-up locations. If you have any questions,

please feel free to contact Dean Lefebvre at (306) 775-7552 or

dean.lefebvre@saskpolytech.ca. SDAA is also collecting names of RDA

volunteers.

2018 Team at the La Loche Health Centre

Sunset on Lac La Loche

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A Conversation to Explore Career Pathways

At the Annual General Meeting the SDAA Council opened a conversation on additional career pathways for

dental assistants. These additional competencies could increase productivity, increase job satisfaction and

remuneration. The additional competencies are IN BOLD. A level of supervision may be advisable, respon-

sibility would be increased and training would need to ensure quality work and patient safety. The following

examples were provided, but the council would like to hear your opinions. A discussion page will be opened

in FORUMS in the member portal.

PROSTHODONTIC MODULE: (as proposed by the Canadian Dental Assisting Regulatory Authorities) • Perform pulp vitality testing (temperature, electric or percussion). • Obtain face bow registration.

• Place intermediate restorative materials for temporary restoration of a tooth; • remove excess material from occlusion or contour with hand instruments and slow speed rotary hand-

piece; • Select or fabricate and fit provisional acrylic crowns, inlays, onlays and bridges;

• Fabricate and fit intra-orally using self-curing or light curing materials; • Select and fit intra-orally using prefabricated or custom fabricated acrylic shells;

• Remove excess material from occlusion or contour extra-orally with slow speed rotary handpiece; • Cement provisional acrylic crowns, inlays, onlays and bridges;

• Prepare teeth for provisional cementation; • Place provisional crowns, inlays, onlays and bridges with a temporary cement;

• Remove excess temporary cement with hand instruments; • Remove provisional acrylic crowns, inlays, onlays and bridges;

• with hand instruments; • remove cement with hand instruments.

• Prepare teeth for bonding or cementation of permanent crowns, inlays, onlays and bridges ; • Remove excess bonding agent or permanent cement with hand instruments;

• Place gingival retraction cord with or without haemostatic agents (no epinephrine) in sulcus;

• Remove gingival retraction cord;

• Remove periodontal surgical dressing.

DENTURE MODULE: • Minor denture adjustments;

• Insert and adjust wax models for full & partial dentures.

SURGICAL ASSISTING MODULE:

• Dry socket treatment including flushing of site and place and remove alveolar socket dressing.

ENDODONTIC ASSISTING MODULE:

• Irrigate canals;

• Dry canals with paper points;

• Size and fit master points & accessory points.

(Continued on page 8)

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RESTORATIVE MODULE:

• Atraumatic Restorative Therapy (ART) is a procedure that utilizes adhe-

sive restorative materials to provide interim restoration of decayed

teeth. Hand instruments are often used to remove carious tooth tissue.

No local anaesthesia or electrical instruments are required. ART delivers a

provisional procedure for populations that do not have immediate access

to full dental care. Clinical and laboratory sessions include pulp testing,

use of hand instruments, and mixing and placing glass ionomer cement.

• Place Composite Restorations

SEDATION

• Administer Nitrous Oxide: Monitoring patient and monitor and assist in

the administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen are part of your core com-

petencies The DAANCE (AAOMS) course and the SEDATION ASSISTANT

CERTIFICATION (Alberta) will increase your comfort zone.

• Local Anaesthetic Module: In order for a RDA to administer LA, the Sec-

tion 23 of the Dental Disciplines Act would need to be amended. There

are several additional science classes that would be a prerequisite prior

to a training program.

EXTENDING EMPLOYERS

• Currently Section 25 of The Dental Disciplines Act identifies that RDAs can

be employed by Dentists, OR Governments, Saskatchewan Health Au-

thority, municipalities, Indian band, personal care home, board of educa-

tion, Universities, Saskatchewan Indian Federated College and Saskatche-

wan Polytechnic (each agency must have a referral arrangement with a

dentist). SDAA is encouraged to consider potential employers. Could

they be hygienists, therapists or denturists?

EXTENDING TITLE PROTECTION

Should SDAA ask for additional title protection to further prevent individuals

without recognized training from using our title?

• Dental Assistant

• Registered Dental Assistant

• Certified Dental Assistant

SUPERVISION / AUTHORIZATION

• The SDAA Bylaws are silent on supervision, the CDSS bylaws indicate that

the dentist may determine the levels of supervision if they wish.

• SDAA assumes that dental assistants practice their authorized acts

through a standard process of authorization or assignment within the

office which allows each member to automatically practice their scope.

To comment, follow the link: https://sdaa.in1touch.org/client/forum/forum.html

(Continued from page 7)

FORUM

Please join the discussion. Follow the link below to join the “Career Pathway” con-versation.

Council has generated a list of possible competencies that dental assistants possi-bly could, with training per-form.

We would love to hear your comments, both negative and positive.

Follow the link: https://sdaa.in1touch.org/client/forum/forum.html

The conversation is limited to members only, so you may will need to log in and the link should take you di-rectly to the FORUM. If it takes you to the home page, there is a FORUM link availa-ble.

You will see an POST REPLY link for you to post ideas, reflection and concerns.

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Issues Surrounding Access to Oral Health Care

The SDHA is seeking your assistance in collecting information for a submission to government. The SDHA is interested in submitting a request to government to amend Section 25 of the Saskatchewan Dental Disci-plines Act, 1997, to permit the public freedom of choice for oral health services. Omni Educational Group Ltd has been hired as a consultant for this work. The SDAA council is considering a similar submission. Howev-er, at this point our members are invited to support the SDHA submission.

Over the years Omni has found that some people are drawn to statistical data while others are influenced by stories. Many look for both types of data to gain a deeper understanding of the issues.

In their efforts to provide diverse data, the SDHA is asking you to reflect on stories that might promote greater understanding of the need to increase access to oral health services for underserved groups in Sas-katchewan and the need to reduce regulatory barriers that negatively influence such access.

In particular we are looking for stories that meet the following criteria:

Involving an oral health professional regulated under Section 25 of the Saskatchewan Dental Disciplines Act, 1997 that demonstrates how the oral health care professional:

• Did or could have increased the person’s quality of life … perhaps from the perspective of employment, social interaction, overall health, financial situation, etc. (i.e. from the Social Determinants of Health per-spective). AND /OR

• Did or could have saved dollars for the health care system.

Please limit your response in length to approximately 75 words or less.

Your participation is totally voluntary and confidential. SDHA will be developing a compilation of stories and attaching them as an appendix to the submission. Your name(s) will not be linked to any story unless you specifically request it to be. Please indicate within your submission if you wish to have your name(s) includ-ed.

The Omni contractors will review the stories and may make some editorial changes. In the case of substan-tial edits you would be contacted to review the story and be asked to provide consent for the editorial changes. The submission of stories will be considered as an indication of informed consent to use them in the report to the Saskatchewan government, and other possible publications and presentation arising from this work with the three regulatory organizations.

If you have any questions about this request please contact the SDHA at sdharegistrar@sasktel.net.

Thank you for submitting your stories to one of the above Omni Educational Group Ltd members by June 30, 2019. We appreciate your support in helping us strengthen our submission to government.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please ensure that your comments are submitted to the Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists’ Association by June 30. There are many changes that could substantively increase access to oral care in Saskatchewan.

10

TEAM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Team Assistance Pro-gram is a confidential sup-port program (through PAR consultants), for den-tists and their immediate family members, thera-pists, hygienists, assistants and receptionist.

Saskatoon

306-978-8282 OR 1-877-978-8282

Regina

306-352-0680 OR 1-877-352-0680

Simply call the PAR office and tell them you want to discuss the program. Par Consultants are trained to put you at ease and help you take the next step. If you want information on-ly, the process stops there. There is no pressure and no compulsion to go fur-ther. The consultant has no authority over a client and can only make sugges-tions or recommendations. It is totally up to you.

Funding for additional vis-its may be available through the SDAA. Contact the office.

Did you know that problems such as disease, infection in our mouth left untreated, can be the cause of poor

general health, especially as we age…?

Thomega Entertainment has produced and directed a documentary entitled The Systemic Effect.

This 47-minute program examines the challenges faced in most long-term care homes in North America. Simply put, the health of many residents is at risk, due to poor oral health care and their lack of access to it. For baby boomers, this is a new reality to contend with, as they traditionally have taken good care of their teeth through-out their lives.

The pioneering studies completed by the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Saskatchewan Oral Health Coalition, offer help in fully understand-ing, how best this issue can be addressed, and the benefits of having daily oral health care implemented in long term care homes, for residents.

Information: www.thomega.com or www.thesystemiceffect.com

The Systemic Effect is produced by Thomega Entertainment Inc. in associa-tion with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Saskatchewan Oral Health Coalition Inc. Funding in part provided by Creative Saskatchewan.

11

SDAA Contract With Diabetes Canada

This year the SDAA has continued our partnership with Diabetes Canada. This partnership provides excellent exposure for SDAA to meet our strategic objective of increasing oral health awareness through engagement opportunities and educational expos.

In 2019 SDAA has chosen to participate in three events with the initial event be-ing the Indigenous Gathering held on May 15th in Prince Albert. SDAA set up an exhibit booth about oral health, good health and sugar awareness. We handed out oral health kits with tooth brushes, floss, brochures etc. This event had a lower attendance than anticipated but the opportunity for education was very valuable.

In August, Diabetes Canada will be hosting the North Central Health Fair in Regina, the Health Fair provides the op-portunity to receive education and coun-selling from a variety of healthcare pro-

fessionals and therefore is a great opportunity for the SDAA, we had over 500 people stop by our booth last year!

In October, Diabetes Canada will be hosting a Pediatric Day, our involvement for this event will be similar to the other events, setting up an exhibit booth with infor-mation and supplies. Anyone who is interested in volunteering for any of these events can contact myself or the SDAA for more infor-mation.

Jannelle Claypool, RDA Strategic & Professional

Development Coordinator

PRESIDENT Karly Edwards 3530 Victoria Ave. Regina, SK S4T 1M1

Jim Coulter PO Box 661 Watrous, Sask S0K 4T0

Jenn Prpich 125 Fitzgerald Street Saskatoon SK S7N 2A6

Gillian Isabelle 12 Massey Road Regina SK S4S 4M7

Doug Finnie PO Box 21116 Saskatoon SK S7H 5N9

Dawn Schmaus Box 251 Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0

Gillian Nault PO Box 612 Indian Head SK S0G 2K0

Colleen Kennedy 2504 Pasqua St Regina SK S4S 0M2

Pamela Spink 622 Braemar Place Saskatoon SK S7V 1A2

Melissa Blow PO Box 622 Melfort SK S0E 1A0

Lisa Lee PO Box 4683 Melfort, SK S0E 1A0

SDAA Council

FILLING IN 4 YOU

Are you wanting to determine your own schedule or work where and

when you want? Or maybe you just want to earn some extra cash?

Filling in 4 You is seeking dental assistants to help full positions on a

casual, part-time or full-time basis. If you would like to be placed on our

temping list please register online at www.fillingin4you.com or email us

at Stacey Mundt, RDA (owner) fillingin4you@gmail.com

or (306) 948-4442

DENTAL SENSE CONSULTING

Cheryl Olberg, RDA is working as a consultant in Saskatoon.

She is offering a human resources service to dental offices

Email: dentalsense4u@yahoo.ca

Saskatchewan Dental Assistants’ Association

PO Box 294

Kenaston SK S0G 2N0

Web: www.sdaa.sk.ca

Email: sdaa@sasktel.net

Phone: 306-252-2769