Fourth‐year dental hygiene students’ educational preparedness: Self‐confidence ratings of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association baccalaureate competencies (2017‐2019)

Abstract

Problem statement: The Canadian Competencies for Baccalaureate Dental Hygiene Programs (CCBDHP) were first published in 2015 by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association. They reflect the first articulation of dental hygiene baccalaureate competencies in North America. However, there is little evidence to support baccalaureate graduates acquire these abilities. Objective: To examine the confidence levels of baccalaureate fourth-year students in their ability to demonstrate the CCBDHPs.Methods: This 3-year longitudinal study rated the self-confidence levels of fourth-year students as they neared graduation from the University of British Columbia from 2017 to 2019. It involved an online, anonymous survey using a 5point scale ranging from not confident to confident. Respondents rated their selfconfidence in the 110 sub-competencies articulated within the 13 competency domains of the CCBDHP. Results: Responses were received from 54 of the 70 graduating students for a cumulative 77% response rate. Respondents expressed the most confidence in the competency domains of Clinical Therapy (100%), Collaboration (100%), Disease Prevention (100%), Professionalism (100%), and Oral Health Education (90%) but expressed less confidence in Research Use (73%), Health Promotion (70%), Leadership (67%), Policy Use (20%), and Advocacy (11%). Conclusion: These data suggest that curriculum revisions are needed in 5 domains but such changes may not be sufficient. Transition support may be warranted to assist graduates as they enter practice, while some competencies may be more appropriate for graduate studies. The study contributes to an international discussion about the educational preparedness of baccalaureate graduates, and the boundaries between diploma, baccalaureate and master's education.

Identification and assessment of factors that impact the demand for and supply of dental hygienists amidst an evolving workforce context: a scoping review

“…Note that not all country profiles were current and any that were last updated before 2013 were excluded [42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]. Several articles covered dental hygienist training program changes, including an article on survey results for motivations for pursing a baccalaureate degree [53], four articles commenting on the education needs of the profession [54][55][56][57], and four articles on the impacts of higher education requirements [4,[58][59][60]. A Korean study described the development of a 'job performance assessment tool' that aimed to align evolving performance needs with training curricula [61].…”