Fanshawe goes purple for National Dental Hygienists Week

Fanshawe College will join communities across Canada in marking National Dental Hygienists Week, taking place April 4 to 10, 2026. 

As part of this national celebration, led by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), the exterior signs at our London Campus will once again be lit purple. The week’s theme, “Oral Health for Total Health”, highlights the important link between oral health and overall health.

Lighting the campus purple also supports the CDHA’s “Put Your Purple On!” campaign, which encourages participants to showcase their pride in the dental hygiene profession. Purple has been associated with dental professionals since 1897 and symbolizes compassion, purpose and inspiration.

Dental Hygiene students will also take part in this year’s “Put Your Purple On!” activities as they promote their program and prepare to enter the national contest. To celebrate the week, the program will host a special event in the Fanshawe dental clinic on Friday, April 10 in the evening. 

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Fanshawe’s Dental Hygiene program, part of the School of Health Sciences, plays an important role in preparing future oral health professionals through hands‑on learning and community‑based care. Students study subjects including anatomy, microbiology, histology, oral pathology, pharmacology and health promotion while developing hands‑on skills using modern dental manikins in simulation labs. The program continues to achieve strong results. In fact, in May 2025, Fanshawe graduates achieved a 100% pass rate on the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board exam.

Each year from September to April, the College’s student‑run clinic offers preventive and therapeutic oral health services delivered by Dental Hygiene students under the supervision of registered dental hygienists and dentists (more information about the clinic can be found here).

We are proud of the dedication, skill and professionalism that our Dental Hygiene students, faculty and graduates bring to their work and to our community. Don’t forget to Put Your Purple On! and please join us in recognizing their contributions during National Dental Hygienists Week, April 4 to 10.

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Learn more about Dental Hygiene (DHY3) at Fanshawe College →