Dental hygiene graduates’ educational preparedness: Self‐confidence ratings of the CDHA baccalaureate competencies

Abstract

PurposeIn 2015, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) published the first Canadian Competencies for Baccalaureate Dental Hygiene Programs (CCBDHP). To date, there is little evidence to support that baccalaureate graduates have gained these abilities. The purpose of the study was to investigate the confidence levels of baccalaureate graduates in their ability to demonstrate the CCBDHP.MethodsAn online, anonymous study was conducted with the 2013‐2016 graduates of the University of British Columbia to rate their confidence level in the 13 competency domains and associated 110 sub‐competencies of the CCBDHP based on a 5‐point scale ranging from not confident to confident.ResultsThirty of the 84 graduates responded to the survey for a 36% response rate. The mostly confident and confident scores were added to determine the number of sub‐competencies within each domain in which 75% to 100% of respondents identified such confidence. The competency domains in which graduates expressed the highest confidence included Collaboration (100%), Communication (100%), Clinical Therapy (100%), Disease Prevention (100%), Oral Health Education (90%), Professionalism (90%), Research Use (90%) and Leadership (90%). They expressed the least confidence in the competency domains of Health Promotion (50%), Advocacy (22%) and Policy Use (0%).ConclusionThese data provided the UBC faculty with important insights into the educational preparedness of baccalaureate graduates. The findings are also relevant for other Canadian programmes and contribute to a larger national dialogue about the CCBDHP and the transition of graduates into practice.

Oral health academics’ conceptualisation of health promotion and perceived barriers and opportunities in dental practice: a qualitative study

“…Sunnell and colleagues [ 35 ] study supports this finding, citing the dental hygiene graduates felt more confident in health promotion at an individual level rather than a community level. Dental professionals may feel more confident in behavioural approaches to health promotion, as there has been evidence to support the increased amount of time spent on a topic in university education increases professional confidence [ 35 ].…”

“…Sunnell and colleagues [ 35 ] study supports this finding, citing the dental hygiene graduates felt more confident in health promotion at an individual level rather than a community level. Dental professionals may feel more confident in behavioural approaches to health promotion, as there has been evidence to support the increased amount of time spent on a topic in university education increases professional confidence [ 35 ]. Studies, which have reported on the health promotion preparation of oral health professionals, have highlighted that the training focuses mainly on education or behaviour change approach, such as, providing oral hygiene instructions to patients in hospitals and delivering health education sessions [ 36 – 38 ].…”

Oral health academics’ conceptualisation of health promotion and perceived barriers and opportunities in dental practice: a qualitative study.

“…Sunnell and colleagues (34) study supports this nding, citing the dental hygiene graduates felt more con dent in health promotion at an individual level rather than a community level. Dental professionals may feel more con dent in behavioural approaches to health promotion, as there has been evidence to support the increased amount of time spent on a topic in university education increases professional con dence (34). Studies, which have reported on the health promotion preparation of oral health professionals, have highlighted that the training focuses mainly on education or behaviour change approach, such as, providing oral hygiene instructions to patients in hospitals and delivering health education sessions (35)(36)(37).…”

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

“…The only study related to this new competency standard was conducted concurrently with this study at the University of British Columbia (UBC) with program graduates from 2013 to 2016. 7 It is recognized that learners are evaluated to competence through many different types of authentic assessments including self, peer, and faculty assessments. 7,8 However, exploring the self-confidence of senior baccalaureate students provides a different lens through which to gain insights into their abilities.…”

“…7 It is recognized that learners are evaluated to competence through many different types of authentic assessments including self, peer, and faculty assessments. 7,8 However, exploring the self-confidence of senior baccalaureate students provides a different lens through which to gain insights into their abilities. Such an investigation was deemed important given that self-confidence is associated with professional competence.…”