Purpose

The Dental Hygiene Program is designed to assist students to learn foundation knowledge which forms the basis for dental hygiene theory and practice, critical thinking, professionalism, and the promotion of health/wellness. The curriculum also encourages social responsibility, life-long learning, and the creation of independent learners.

The faculty of the VCC dental hygiene program is committed to facilitating learning through sound, current and varied educational approaches such as: abilities/outcomes-based education, diversity of learning strategies, teaching and learning in context, learner centred perspective, and authentic evaluation.

Duration

The dental hygiene program is two years full-time. Students are eligible to write the National Dental Hygiene Certification Exam (NDHCE) during Term 4 of the program.  Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete all program requirements.

Under exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Dean, a student may be granted an extension.

Learning Outcomes

A graduate has met the goals of the VCC Dental Hygiene Diploma program based on the Entry-to-Practice Standards and Competencies for Canadian Dental Hygienists* by reliably demonstrating knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the following domains:

Professional:  Use elements of the arts and science of dental hygiene in the service of the public such as the application of codes of ethics and professional conduct, the development of safe practice environments, and the responsibility/accountability for decisions and actions appropriate for a self-regulating profession. 

Communicator/Collaborator:  Use effective verbal, non-verbal, visual, written, and electronic communication methods in the exchange of ideas, opinions and information relevant to dental hygiene practice. As well as influence and work with others to improve the health and well-being of the public.

Critical Thinker:  Invoke systematic inquiry, reasoning, problem-solving and decision-making strategies in the provision of all dental hygiene services.

Advocate:  Speak, write, or act in support of causes, policies, individuals, or groups that aid to reduce inequities in health status or improve access to health services.

Coordinator:  Support client needs and outcomes through the coordination and management of services, actions and resources.

Clinical Therapist:  Provide primary, interceptive, therapeutic, preventive, and supportive care procedures that enable individuals and groups to achieve optimal oral health that contributes to overall health.

Oral Health Educator:  Apply teaching and learning principles to facilitate the development and expansion of skills, attitudes, knowledge and behaviour which support oral health and general health.

Health Promoter:  Use health promotion principles and strategies to enable individuals and groups to increase their control over and to improve their health.

* Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA). Entry-To-Practice Competencies and Standards for Canadian Dental Hygienists. Ottawa, ON: CDHA, 2010. Available from: https://www.cdha.ca/pdfs/Competencies_and_Standards.pdf

Admission Requirements

If your educational documents are not from a Canadian or American institution, you must submit an evaluation of foreign credentials.  A comprehensive evaluation report, from the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) located at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) including an ICES VCC Dental Hygiene Supplemental Report is required.

Upon Acceptance:

• A current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Health Care Provider (CPR HCP) or Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Annual renewal is required while in the program and for registration as a dental hygienist in British Columbia.
• Criminal Records Check (CRC): Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate. 
• Submission of a recent negative tuberculosis (TB) test. If the test is positive, submission of a negative TB chest x-ray report is required.
• VCC School of Health Sciences Immunization record must be completed. Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and may be required for practice placement in the program:
  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Pertussis
  • Poliomyelitis
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Meningococcal
  • Influenza Vaccination (annually)
  • COVID-19 Vaccination
• N95 mask fit testing will be required prior to clinical rotations to health authority locations during the final year of the program. Information, fee payment, and scheduling related to mask fit testing will be provided during the program. Mask fit testing is valid for 1 year and should only be completed when directed during the dental hygiene program.

Information specific to the Dental Hygiene program is available online at www.vcc.ca.

Program Requirements

Plan of Study Grid

Term One		Credits
DHYG 2114	Dental Hygiene Care 1	7.5
DHYG 2124	Clinical Foundations	6.5
DHYG 2134	Professional Practice 1	6
DHYG 2144	Oral Health Sciences 1	7
	Credits	27
Term Two
DHYG 2214	Dental Hygiene Care 2	8.5
DHYG 2224	Clinical Practice 1	8.5
DHYG 3244	Oral Health Sciences 2	8.5
DHYG 3254	Health Sciences	9.5
	Credits	35
Term Three
DHYG 3314	Dental Hygiene Care 3	8
DHYG 3324	Clinical Practice 2	6.5
DHYG 4344	Oral Health Sciences 3	6.5
DHYG 3364	Community Foundations	7
	Credits	28
Term Four
DHYG 4414	Dental Hygiene Care 4	8
DHYG 3424	Clinical Practice 3	9
DHYG 3434	Professional Practice 2	8.5
DHYG 4464	Community Practice	8.5
	Credits	34
	Total Credits	124

Evaluation of Student Learning

Evaluation of learning includes written examinations, case based learning, laboratory and didactic assignments, self-directed learning contracts, demonstration of clinical abilities, analytical papers, in-class and community projects and presentations. Evaluation methods are selected based on the nature of the learning outcome.  Professional conduct forms an integral part of the evaluation process.

The passing grade in each theory course is a C (60%). A grade of ‘Satisfactory’ (S) is required for all clinical courses. A 50% passing grade must be achieved for all final examinations; with the exception of the DHYG 2144 Final Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), DHYG 3254 Final Exam Part B (Local Anesthetic), and DHYG 4414 Radiography OSCE which require 60% to pass. Select assessments require a minimum passing grade of 60% to progress as indicated within the Course Outlines. 

Students must pass all courses in a term to progress to the next term. If a course is not completed successfully, a student may apply to reinsert into the program and repeat the course the next time it is offered, providing there is space available.  As part of the re-entry plan, the student may be required by the Dental Hygiene Curriculum Committee to repeat or audit additional courses to ensure up to date knowledge and safe practice.  Enrollment in a term's clinical course is mandatory upon re-entry.

All evaluations are consistent with the VCC grading standard described in the Grading, Progression and Withdrawal Policy and Procedures (C.1.1).  

Students receive a VCC diploma upon successful completion of the program.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Students may request formal recognition of prior learning attained through informal education, work, or other life experience, including Indigenous ways of knowing. Credits may be granted to students who are able to sufficiently demonstrate the learning outcomes of specific courses.

PLAR is available for the following course:

DHYG 2144 Oral Health Sciences 1 - see Course Outline for details.

Tuition and fees may still apply to PLAR candidates. Please contact the Department for details.

See VCC’s D.3.5 Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Policy and Procedures for more information. 

Transcript of Achievement

The evaluation of learning outcomes for each student is prepared by the instructor and reported to the Student Records Department at the completion of semesters.

The transcript typically shows a letter grade for each course. The grade point equivalent for a course is obtained from letter grades as follows:

Grading Standard

Transcript of Achievement

Grade	Percentage	Description	Grade Point Equivalency
A+	90-100		4.33
A	85-89		4.00
A-	80-84		3.67
B+	76-79		3.33
B	72-75		3.00
B-	68-71		2.67
C+	64-67		2.33
C	60-63	Minimum Pass	2.00
C-	55-59		1.67
D	50-54		1.00
F	0-49	Failing Grade	0.00
S	70 or greater	Satisfactory – student has met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
U		Unsatisfactory – student has not met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
I		Incomplete	N/A
IP		Course in Progress	N/A
W		Withdrawal	N/A
Course Standings
R		Audit. No Credits	N/A
EX		Exempt. Credit Granted	N/A
TC		Transfer Credit

Grade Point Average (GPA)

1. The course grade points shall be calculated as the product of the course credit value and the grade value.
2. The GPA shall be calculated by dividing the total number of achieved course grade points by the total number of assigned course credit values. This cumulative GPA shall be determined and stated on the Transcript at the end of each Program level or semester.
3. Grades shall be assigned to repeated courses in the same manner as courses taken only once. For the purpose of GPA calculation of grades for repeated courses, they will be included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.