This is the third in our six-part email series for oral health professionals about BCCOHP’s Professional Standards for the Oral Health Team (Professional Standards) which came into effect on June 30, 2025.
The Professional Standards are organized by six overarching principles, which underpin ethical decision-making in oral health care. This email series is designed to help oral health professionals understand the Professional Standards more deeply by highlighting each of the six principles over a number of weeks.
Please refer back to the emails sent on November 6 and November 13 for information regarding principle 1 and principle 2.
Principle #3: Be culturally aware, equitable and inclusive
As an oral health professional, you have a responsibility to provide fair, culturally responsive and culturally safe care that respects each patient’s identity, values and beliefs, and to actively prevent racism and discrimination.
Learn more about principle 3 by watching this short video >>
Resources
For more information about BCCOHP’s commitment to ensuring the public can receive safe, inclusive oral healthcare, please visit the following pages:
Printable poster for your office
We’ve created a patient-facing poster informed by the Professional Standards explaining what patients can expect from their oral health team. As oral health professionals, you are welcome to print and share it in your offices.
View and print the poster >>
The storytelling behind the poster artwork
The artwork in our printable poster represents what patients can expect from their oral health team, illustrated through six symbolic figures within a circular motif that signifies transformation and renewal.
Each figure embodies a key theme: the Eagle symbolizes effective communication and informed consent; the Wolf, collaboration and protection of patients’ interests; the Human, cultural awareness, equity and inclusion; the Frog, trust and truth-telling; the Bear, advocacy and prioritizing patient interests; and the Salmon, safe and competent care.
Together, these figures reflect BCCOHP’s commitment to transformation and to providing respectful, patient-centred oral health care for all.
Learn more on page two of the poster PDF >>
Background
BCCOHP’s Professional Standards for the Oral Health Team came into effect on June 30, 2025. These standards are the minimum requirements for professional and ethical performance, conduct and behaviour for oral health professionals in BC. They are the core professional and ethical requirements and apply to all aspects of oral health care and all oral health professionals.
Contact us
For more information, please reach out to BCCOHP’s Professional Advisors via our contact form >>