Hi friends!
2024 was a pivotal year for the team here at Risio. We experienced tremendous growth, launched a new program, and welcomed new team members.
Our most notable moments from 2024 were:
- Opening Applications for our Toronto campus.
- Launching our Orthodontic Module.
- Partnering with the Canadian Armed Forces.
- Seeing nearly 100% capacity in our July through December Diploma enrollments.
- Starting Growth Catalyst.
Keep reading to hear more about our year in review and what’s happening in 2025.
Q1
We started 2024 with a bang by opening applications for our Toronto campus. At Risio, our goal is to make education accessible for everyone. Opening more campuses and choosing strategic education partners will provide students with additional options to complete their clinicals and ultimately finish their program. This is especially important as we saw a record number of applications as well as enrollments in our Dental Diploma Program throughout 2024. Growth is essential to continue educating the next generation of dental professionals.
Shortly after opening applications for our Toronto campus, we launched the Orthodontic Model which had been requested by Risio alumni (and other community members) for quite some time. We hosted our first in-person Ortho Module clinical on April 6th. We’ve hosted three additional in-person clinicals since and look forward to more in the New Year. Fun fact: over half of the students in our 2024 Ortho Modules were Risio Alumni… We guess they just can’t stay away! Who are we kidding, we love seeing our Alumni.
Casey and Carey decided the first quarter of the year wouldn’t be busy enough with new program launches and decided to hit the road. They started in Alberta at the Banff Updater, then made their way up north to (what felt like) the coldest place on earth- Grande Prairie. Our founders were visiting the local dental practices and our many current students and alumni. From Grande Prairie, Carey and Casey met Jewel and Tanya in tropical Vancouver at the Pacific Dental Conference (PDC). PDC was a fun and exhausting few days for the team, a great way to end the first quarter.
Q2
The second quarter began with onboarding a new team member to our Calgary office, Lynette! Lynette is one of our amazing clinical facilitators and we’ve enjoyed watching her embrace her role, the students and our team. Our students are in great hands with Chantel, Cathy and Lynette.
In April, Carey and Casey continued their roadshow and headed east to the Ontario Dental Conference and Academy in the City. Each conference was loaded with swag, including everyone’s favourite Risio socks. Back in Calgary, we hosted the first Orthodontic clinical and introduced a new module to our Diploma Program curriculum featuring DENTX Solutions.
In May, Carey successfully defended the proposal of her PhD Dissertation and began the final stages of officially becoming Dr. Balkwill. Her graduation takes place next July at Disney World- proud is an understatement! Shortly after, Casey published her first of many articles with Oral Health Group. She has become a trusted source to discuss the shortage of dental workers in Canada and the solutions available.
Q3
In July, we announced our incredible partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces. Risio students or graduates (who also meet CAF requirements) are eligible for subsidized education at Risio (including a salary while completing school) and will receive recognition for prior learning and experience. Canadian Armed Forces applicants who are Risio graduates will also be considered for a higher immediate rank, higher pay and the ability to bypass the first dental module in the military program. We are very honoured to be partnering with the CAF!
As we eased into late summer, our team began Growth Catalyst, an initiative designed to help businesses overcome stagnation, diversify, and drive long-term success. This seven-month learning journey is very exciting for our team as we’re always looking for ways to make Risio a better place for our students, staff and community. Stay tuned for the results in 2025.
In the fall, we had two students receive the Florence E Downey Award from the Calgary Dental Assistant Association. Cathy was also recognized for her dedication during her time as President of the CDAA and was awarded the Special Recognition Award. We’re so proud of all three!
Shortly after, we made a big adjustment to our proctoring software, switching from Examity to ProctorU. This change is a direct result of our student’s valuable feedback, as we continually strive to improve the learning experience for all Risio students. We also observed a gap in our Diploma Program with regard to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility discussions. We brought Erin Davis on board to host a webinar for our network and create a module that has been implemented in our programs.
That brings us to the final quarter of the year. In October, we achieved HARP approval in Ontario, marking an important milestone for our program. This certification ensures that graduates from our Ontario program are fully qualified to perform dental radiographs (X-rays), equipping them with essential skills for their careers. We also had another successful accreditation visit meaning our Dental Assisting Diploma program will maintain its accredited status.
November and December capped off our most successful six months in Risio history as we had full, or nearly full enrollments in our Diploma Program.
All year, Carey and Casey have been tirelessly working to improve the program while also ensuring our team is partaking in as many professional development opportunities as possible. The team and our students have worked extremely hard this year and we are very proud of their accomplishments.
2025
So, what’s happening in 2025? So much! We’re doing a clinical collaboration with Corus Ortho, attending PDC, ODA and the National Dental Conference, starting a Student Spotlight Series, launching official Risio merch and drumroll please… We’re launching a referral program! It’s already live on our website under the “Programs” tab.
Thank you for being a part of the Risio family, we’re happy you’re here. From our team to yours, enjoy a much-needed holiday break and we wish you all the best in 2025!
