vcc.ca
DENT 1130: Professional Practice 1
Effective date
September 2026
Department
Dental Tech
School
Health Sciences
Description
This course introduces students to the ethics, jurisprudence, regulation and scope of the various professions in dentistry. Students will learn interpersonal skills including teamwork and inter-professional collaboration as well as develop required skills to provide culturally safe and patient-centred care in the field of dental technology. Principles of critical thinking, problem-solving, self and peer evaluation and decision-making are also important components of this course. Students are introduced to information literacy and research skills, principles of professionalism, self-management, learning styles and study abilities.
Credits
1.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Research and understand the role of a dental technician and other oral health professionals in BC.
- Identify reliable resources for information pertaining to legislation and health care.
- Explore the ways in which dental technicians can provide socio-culturally safe, team-based, and patient-centred health care.
- Describe the legal obligations and ethics of the profession related to the public, regulatory authorities and professional bodies.
- Explain the fundamentals of legislation that affect the practice of dental technology.
- Demonstrate communication and teamworking skills for school and the workplace.
- Connect legal and ethical obligations to real-life scenarios and apply problem-solving skills to navigate ethics, jurisprudence, regulation, and scope of practice issues.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 20
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 10
Total Hours: 30
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 10
Total Hours: 30
Instructional Strategies
Lecture, seminar, group work, ethical dilemma reasoning, case analysis, communication role play
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C+ (64%)
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
15 |
Research Assignment |
|
Assignments |
25 |
Presentation |
|
Reflect |
30 |
Reflective Journaling |
|
Assignments |
30 |
Case-Based Scenario Activity |
Course topics
- Introduction to the Profession of Dental Technology
- The Oral Health Landscape in BC
- Interpersonal, Inter-professional Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration
- Ethics, Jurisprudence, Regulation and Scope of Practice
- Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making
Learning resources
Resources are items in addition to tuition that the student is responsible for purchasing. Course resource information will be supplied by the department/instructor.
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.