Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility

Our commitment is to safeguard the public from harm and discrimination in BC’s oral health sector

We do this by diligently overseeing safe, competent, ethical, and team-based oral health care. As part of this work, we are committed to incorporating Indigenous perspectives into our policies and decision-making processes.

We recognize the importance of cultural safety when accessing oral health care and the inequities experienced by Indigenous patients in BC.

“Upholding Indigenous rights and promoting reconciliation through the regulation and delivery of oral health care” is a strategic focus outlined in our 2024-27 Strategic Plan.

We commit to taking concrete steps to promote system change and dismantle racism. To support this work, we have built out a project to enhance cultural safety and humility in BC’s oral health sector and address systemic racism.

The offices of BCCOHP are located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish and Lekwungen Peoples, represented today by the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. Acknowledging the territories and the original stewards of these lands is a fundamental responsibility of our organization and in keeping with our commitment to support the provision of safe, effective, culturally sensitive oral health care for people in British Columbia.

Cultural safety and humility project

At BCCOHP, we have undertaken work to address Indigenous-specific racism in BC’s oral health care sector.

Some of this work includes:

Taking a systemic and holistic approach to cultural safety and humility, including considerations given to distinctions-based and trauma-informed approaches
Embedding cultural safety and humility and Indigenous specific anti-racism in all aspects of governance and operations
Eliminating barriers to Indigenous people accessing BCCOHP
Setting expectations for oral health professionals that support the delivery of culturally safe and humble oral health care (including practice standards and ongoing education/training)
Recruiting and retaining Indigenous board, committee and staff members
Ensuring that our regulatory policies and procedures are culturally safe

Resources

As part of our work, we are working to provide updated resources and education for oral health professionals and the public in this area. We will continue to update this page as relevant resources and materials are developed.

Lhéq’lomet: A Toolkit of Indigenous Anti-Racism, Cultural Safety and Humility Learning: This was developed by the legacy College of Dental Hygienists of BC. It includes a self-reflection learning guide, important terms to know, and more. This is a credible resource that supports oral health professionals in recognizing knowledge gaps and supporting the provision of culturally safe and humble care.
Section 35 of the Constitution Act of Canada 1982. This piece of legislation is crucial in recognizing, affirming, and safeguarding the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP, 2007), UNDRIP is enshrined in law in BC since 2019 under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). This Act mandates that all laws in BC be made consistent with the articles of UNDRIP. Many of the articles describing Indigenous rights relate to health. In 2021, the Government of Canada assented the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which provides a roadmap for implementing the articles of UNDRIP within Canada.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada collection of Final Reports and 94 Calls to Action (2015). Calls to Action 18 through 24 pertain specifically to health.
In 2017, all health profession regulators, including all oral health profession regulators, signed a Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility in the Regulation of Health Professionals Serving First Nations and Aboriginal People in BC, with the First Nations Health Authority and the BC Ministry of Health. This declaration states that oral health profession regulators will encourage, support, and enhance cultural safety and cultural competency among health professionals in BC.
In 2020, the BC Ministry of Health released a report called, In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care. This document acknowledges systemic racism in BC’s healthcare system, particularly against Indigenous peoples. It highlights widespread discriminatory practices and biases that result in inequitable healthcare outcomes for Indigenous patients.
Bill 36 – Health Professions and Occupations Act (November 2022) contains important improvements in supporting cultural safety and humility, anti-discrimination, and anti-racism legislation (s. 14 and 15).

Indigenous Dental Association Canada
The “Tooth Tales” video series aims to reach Indigenous communities and dental clinics across Canada. It tells the story of a young Indigenous girl who shares her oral health journey, from her first loose tooth to becoming a dental specialist. Through her experiences, the series highlights significant themes such as access to oral health care, Indigenous-specific racism and many more.

Joyce's Tooth Tales - A Journey of Courage and Wisdom

4 Videos

Episode 1: Losing the First Tooth: Humility & Bravery

1:42

Episode 2: The First Cavity: Honesty & Truth.

1:16

Episode 3: The Path to Wisdom

1:22

Episode 4: Sharing Your Gift: Love & Respect

1:06

On this page, you will find the Anti-Indigenous Racism in Dentistry webinar. This webinar discusses the racism, prejudice and systemic discrimination within an oral healthcare setting and may be upsetting to some viewers. Please proceed with caution.

The webinar was a collaboration between Indigenous Services Canada and Indigenous Dental Association of Canada (IDAC) in response to the tragic death of Ms. Joyce Echequan. The coroner investigating the death concluded that racism and prejudice Ms. Echequan experienced in hospital contributed to her death.