Hello, fellow CDAs!

My name is Arlene Cearns and I’ve worked as a CDA for over 40 years, all in private practice. I have spent two years in Victoria, 14 years in Quesnel, seven years in Parksville, and 18 and counting on Hornby/Denman. I also served on the CDABC Board of Directors for four years. 

Working with Dr. Peter Walford for the last 18 years, I have participated in study clubs, presentations to various dental societies, and presented on stage at the Pacific Dental Conference.

I served on the board of CDABC for over four years, stepping up to be president much sooner than I could have expected, when the then president was unable to continue in the position. While I was President and Past President, CDABC was involved in working with the College, and most definitely with the CDA members of the College board, to obtain the right for CDAs to vote at the College Annual General Meeting (AGM).  This gives us a voice in how the College uses our certification fees for their duties of regulation and public protection. As often as feasible, our board members attended the public portions of the College board meetings, ensuring they were aware of our interest in their activities.  

As President, I was beyond fortunate in my board members! With their work and support, CDABC was able to start on the road to the ever-increasing package of benefits we are now able to offer our members.

We were proud to be able to lend our voice to the successful chorus calling for the continuation of the College of New Caledonia dental assistant program.  

In putting myself forward for the open CDA position on our regulatory College board, I hope to bring another strong voice for the importance of CDAs, as regulated dental professionals, in dentistry and, most especially, in how well our profession serves and protects the public. The College has begun it journey to become more transparent to both those it regulates and the public it is mandated to protect, and I would love to be part of that.

Find details about the CDSBC election, including other candidate profiles, here.