Prof. Ruth Bushby

Role & Responsibilities

Ruth Bushby is a Professor in the Dental Hygiene Program at Confederation College. Her responsibilities include designing, developing, and delivering courses and clinics while creating an inclusive learning environment that uses diverse teaching strategies and resources.

Ruth is also an active member of the college’s Academic Council and Program Review and Quality Assurance Subcommittee.

Professional Background

She has been a registered dental hygienist for 40 years. Ruth’s career includes 27 years of Dental Hygiene clinical experience, and 18 years of combined part-time and full-time experience in education in positions of Professor, Oral Health Demonstrator, and Dental Clinic Administrator.

Ruth has obtained a Master of Education (MEd) from Ontario Tech University and a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BScDH) from Northern Arizona University.

Teaching

She provides students with an engaging and student-centered learning experience, using a variety of assessment methods to evaluate knowledge, skills, and professional competencies. Committed to student success, she actively advises, coaches, and mentors learners throughout their academic journey.

Creative Work, Research, or Industry Experience

Ruth is co-editor of Chapter 52, Palliative Dental Hygiene Oral Care, in Darby and Walsh Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice textbook, and co-author of Talking Ethics: Ignorance of Frailty and Palliative Oral Care and Palliative Dental Hygiene Care articles, in the Oh Canada, publication by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association.

Community Involvement

Ruth is an active member of the Thunder Bay Dental Hygienists’ Society, the Ontario Dental Hygienists’ Association (ODHA), and the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA). Throughout her career, she has been actively engaged in advocacy and lobbying initiatives that contributed to the self-regulation of the dental hygiene profession and the removal of the "order" requirement from the Dental Hygiene Act, 1991. Currently, Ruth continues to advance the profession through her involvement in dental hygiene scope of practice enhancement initiatives, supporting the evolution of the profession and expanded access to oral health care services.