pi w12 (cont competency)

BCCOHP = how college protect public?

will have quiz q on this

3 main ways

1. ensuring OH profs practice competetently

2. by setting expectations for the delivery of safe & patient-centered oral HC

3. by investigating concerns abt OH profs

DH program accreditation

• national accreditation conducted by Commission on Dental Accreditation of CA (CDAC)

• CDAC accreditation confirms that a DH program meets national educ standards

• Graduates of recognized accredited progs may apply for licensure w/ BCCOHP after meeting all licensing reqs

• In BC, priv institutions are reg by Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB).

• PTIB designation may make students eligible for student financial assistance programs (student loans)

Quality Assurance Program

why continuing competency?

1. under HPOA (div.8) BCCOHP must establish a QAP that promotes ongoing competence of oral health profs in the public interest

2. continuing study & self-assess of educ needs is the fundamental & lifelong resp of a prof person/clinicial

Quality Assurance at BCCOHP

• BCCOHP is req under the HPOA to establish and maintain a Quality Assurance Program (QAP)

• Modernized QAP supports ongoing competence for all regulated oral health professionals

QAP includes…

• component A = guided self-relfect & goal setting

• component B = standards-based educ & kowledge applic

• component C = individualized support (when req)

the prog supports BCCOHP’s mandate of public protection

Old QAP - wont be tested but good for fyi

• 75 creds req each 5 year cycle

• yearly cycle from Jan. 1st- Dec. 31st

• each cycle begins with writing the QAP Assessment Tool prior to renewal of registration

• jurisprudence Education Module (JEM) must be completed at some point during the 5 year cycle

• online local anesthetic (LA) Module – for registrants who hold Local Anesthetic Certification

**credit hours in excess cant be transfered to next CC cycle**

• new one = April 2026

To support transition to new QAP (April 2026), all pre-existing program reqs & assessments will be retired Dec 31 2025….meaning that….know date

• Jan 1, 2026 = no further reporting of pre-existing QA activities/assessments req

• Assignment of new QA cycles will be deferred until launch of modernized prog

• Those with QA cycles ending December 31, 2025, are the final cohorts required to complete the pre-existing program reqs

slide 12

Why the Modernized QAP?

• Support ongoing competence throughout a professional's career

• Recognize diverse practice settings and learning needs

• Focus on meaningful, evidence-informed professional development

• Promote fairness, accessibility, and public protection

• Support continuous improvement and accountability

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Comp A: Self-refl & goal setting

• purpose = helps profs assess their practice, refl on standards, & set meaningful learning goals

• freq = completed annually (online)

includes:

• Self-assessment of practice and standards

• Setting 2–3 professional goals

• Reporting continuing professional development (linked to goals, not hours)

• Optional patient or peer feedback

Comp A: Self-Inventory Reflection

why does bccohp use self-inventory? helps us…

• Reflect on their current practice and professional circumstances

• Identify factors that may influence competence and professional growth

• Recognize areas where additional support or learning may be beneficial

• Develop meaningful professional goals and action plans

• Promote safe, ethical, and patient-centred care

self-inventory focuses on 3 areas

1. personal & career stage

• New graduate or experienced practitioner

• Returning to practice

• Career transitions

• Retirement planning

• Personal life changes affecting practice

2. practice struct

fill

3. practice context

Component B: Standards-Based Learning

• purpose = strengthens understanding & applic of BCCOHP standards in daily pract

• freq = annual (online)

includes:

• Scenario-based learning modules

• Review of key practice standards

• Knowledge-check activities throughout

• Typically up to 3 modules per year

Component C: Individualized Support

• purpo

Quality Assurance Assessor wont ask

a QA Assessor may…

• Review the registrant's participation in Components A and B

• Discuss areas requiring support

• Assist with goal development

• Provide recommendations

who selects ppl for audit?

• BCCOHP uses an audit process and that selection may inclide:

BCCOHP email

Included this

Developing a Prof Learning Plan

1. Reflect on your practice and identify a learning need.

2. Review relevant BCCOHP Standards.

3. Develop a professional goal.

4. Identify learning activities that support the goal.

5. Establish a realistic timeline.

6. Seek mentorship, peer support, or educational opportunities if appropriate.

7. Apply new knowledge and skills in practice.

8. Reflect on outcomes and identify future learning needs.

Ex:

learning need

• Improve confidence in caring for older adults w mult chronic conditions

professional goal

• inc knowledge & skills related to oral health care for older adults within the next 12 months

activities

• complete a geriatric oral health course

• review current evidence on oral-systemic health in older adults

• participate in case discussions with colleagues

• implement new assessment strats in practice

outcome

• demonstrate improved assessments, treatment planning & patient educ for older adult pops

QAP Framework

1. Group Learning Examples

• Courses, seminars, exchanges

• Study Clubs, workshops, symposiums

• Simulations

• Webinar with participation element

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2. Self-Learning Examples

• Planned Learning Activities

• Article reading

• Systems Learning

• Poster Presentation

• Online learning modules

• Published article or textbook chapter

• Volunteer Work

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3. Reflective Learning: active pursuit of learning from an experience by reflecting on that experience in order to understand & guide future actions

ex:

• developing a self-directed learning plan

• reflective journaling/writing

• mentorship/peer feedback

Public Concerns & Complaint Proc

• Complaints must be submitted in writing.

• The process is confidential, but not anonymous.

• The oral health professional receives the complaint and has an opportunity to respond.

• Complainants receive a copy of the response as part of a fair & transparent process.

who can be investigated?

• all dental workers

legal authority

• complaints investigated under HPOA thru BCCOHP’s Investigation Committee

Why is the Investigation Committee important to public protection?

A. It develops continuing education courses for registrants.

B. It reviews complaints and oversees investigations related to professional conduct and competence.

C. It renews annual registration licences.

D. It accredits dental hygiene programs.

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Under what circumstance can the Investigation Committee become involved?

A. Only when a patient submits a complaint.

B. Only when another registrant files a complaint.

C. When a regulatory complaint is received or when the committee initiates its

own investigation.

D. Only after a court order is issued.

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Which of the following actions may be directed by the Investigation Committee following an investigation?

A. Awarding continuing competency credits.

B. Approving a learning plan.

C. Ordering a capacity evaluation or suspension order.

D. Approving registration renewal.

BCCOHP flow chart

• complaint can come from college or person

• if registrar decide that complaint should go ahead, investigation committee of college investigates

they then decide whether complaint should be…

1. dismissed

2. resolved by college w/ respondent’s consent (disciplinary orders published)

3. sent to discipline tribunal to ask for approval of a consent resolution or request that a citation be issued

• if citation issued, case enters discipline tribunal’s case management proc

• disc trib sets contest resolution deadline for parties to agree to resolve the case

can the parties resolve the case before the contest resolution deadline?

yes = case resolved (consent resolution) > disciplinary orders published

no = disc trib preps case for a hearing

• disc panel hears case & decide if misconduct/incompetence has been proven

• if miscond/incompetence proven > panel decide what disc orders to make

• if need, panel hold penalty hearing & make disc orders

after hearing, there may be…

1. application for review

2. enforcement

3. disciplinary orders published

Prof Dev Opportunities

• Degree completion (Bachelor’s and Master’s)

• Ortho Modules

• Local Anaesthesia certification

• Residential Care/ Geriatric Oral Health

• Provincial Instructor Diploma or Certificate

• Leadership and Practice Management

• Cultural Safety and Indigenous Health Education

• Nitrous oxide sedation

• Laser therapy

• Oral-Myofunctional Therapy

• Evidence-Based Practice and Research

Provincial Registration

• registration w BCCOHP is mand to practice

• must be renewed annually by last day in march

Initial Registration

Applicants must..

• Graduate from a recognized dental hygiene program

• Successfully complete the National Dental Hygiene

• Certification Examination (NDHCE) within the previous 3 years

• Obtain professional liability insurance

• Complete a criminal record check (CRC)

• Submit all required application documents and fees

Additional reqs may apply for:

• Graduates of non-accredited programs

• Applicants previously licensed in other jurisdictions

• Applicants whose NDHCE was completed more than 3 years ago

Professional development activities should be selected based on:

A. The lowest cost available

B. Personal interest only

C. Professional judgment and identified learning needs

D. Recommendations from coworkers

Which of the following best reflects the purpose of continuing professional

development?

A. To satisfy an administrative requirement only

B. To support patient safety and ongoing professional competence

C. To replace clinical experience

D. To avoid participation in the Quality Assurance Program

A dental hygienist attends several continuing education courses throughout the year

but cannot explain how the learning relates to their professional goals or practice.

According to the intent of the modernized QAP, what is the greatest concern?

A. The courses were completed outside regular work hours.

B. The registrant may not be engaging in meaningful, goal-directed professional

development.

C. The registrant attended too many courses.

D. The registrant should have focused only on BCCOHP-developed modules.

Smart Goals

Specific - detailed enough to clearly define what you are trying to achieve

Measurable - includes criteria so that you will know when you have achieved it

Action Oriented - the course of action to achieve the goal is clear

Realistic - should be practical & achievable – consider what you’re willing & able to work towards

Timely - goal should have a definite deadline & consider the limits of available resources

Why set these?

• goal setting is powerful technique used by profs & successful ppl in dif fields

• learning goals provide a purpose & direction to ones prof development & identify the expected results of activities

• goals heighten performance lbls by setting targets & help determ priorities, get org & make decisions