Dental hygiene graduates' educational preparedness: Self-confidence ratings of the CDHA baccalaureate competencies

Abstract

Purpose: In 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.

Methods: An 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.

Results: Thirty 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%).

Conclusion: These 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.

Keywords: baccalaureate education; competencies; competency-based education; dental hygiene; dental hygiene education; professionalism; self-confidence.