Chair / Public Member’s Message

Carol Gibbons Kroeker

Chair / Public Member

As Council Chair for the Alberta College of Dental Hygienists and also a public member, I am continually encouraged by the dedication of Alberta’s dental hygienists to maintaining high standards of care for the public.

This year, Council was pleased to support the College’s extensive registrant engagement on the redesign of the Continuing Competence Program. Hearing directly from registrants about their experiences, perspectives, and hopes for the future of the program was invaluable. Council greatly appreciates the time and thoughtfulness that registrants contributed to this work, and we believe their input will help ensure the program remains meaningful, practical, and focused on supporting safe, high-quality care for Albertans.

Council also undertook a comprehensive governance review this year to strengthen our oversight practices and ensure our processes remain aligned with governance best practices. As a regulator entrusted with protecting the public, it is essential that Council continually reflect on how we govern and how we can improve. Alongside this work, Council engaged in discussions to clarify our collective approach to risk tolerance and risk management. This helps ensure that when difficult decisions arise, Council is aligned in considering both current and future risks and the potential impact of those decisions on the public and the profession.

I am particularly appreciative of the strong collaboration between the regulated members and public members of Council who share a common vision of regulatory excellence and remain focused on making decisions in the public interest. The balanced 50-50 composition of Council continues to be highly effective in supporting thoughtful, well-informed governance.

Council has remained focused on advancing the College’s four strategic priorities and ensuring that every decision reflects the College’s core values. Our work is grounded in the values of accountability, transparency, collaboration, and integrity, which guide how Council approaches its oversight responsibilities. Together, these priorities and values support the College’s mandate to regulate in the public interest and to foster a profession that is accountable, responsive, and committed to the health and safety of the people of Alberta.