vcc.ca
DHYG 2150: Dental Hygiene Professional Practice 1
Effective date
September 2026
Department
Dental Hygiene
School
Health Sciences
Description
This course will introduce learners to the foundational concepts of dental hygiene practice, including ethical standards, best practices, and legislative requirements required in the provision of culturally safe and person-centered approaches to care. The course focuses on communication principles related to enhancing interpersonal and intra-professional collaboration, and building trusting relationships with individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
2nd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain professional presence in the context of dental hygiene practice and professional health regulation.
- Identify professional responsibilities as they relate to the dental hygiene code of ethics, practice standards and legislative requirements.
- Identify dental hygiene conceptual models of practice and approaches to decision-making.
- Identify the role and importance of various professional organizations, associations and other professional stakeholders.
- Describe challenges, barriers, and strategies impacting effective interpersonal and intra-professional communication and collaboration.
- Identify the influence of the determinants of health on oral health access and health inequities.
- Reflect on personal and systemic biases impacting culturally safe, comprehensive and person-centered dental hygiene care.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 48
Total Hours: 48
Total Hours: 48
Instructional Strategies
Instructional strategies include active, collaborative learning; lecture; experiential learning in simulation, case-based learning; group work; discussion; self-reflection; and guest speakers.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Project |
15% |
Glossary of Terms |
|
Other |
30% |
Communication Scenario Role Play |
|
Project |
30% |
Self-Reflection Journal |
|
Project |
25% |
Practice Philosophy Statement |
Course topics
- Professional Presence Codes of Professional Conduct Health Regulation in BC Ethical Codes, Practice Standards, Dental Hygiene Scope of Practice Professional Associations and Organizations Dental Hygiene Conceptual Models of Practice Evidence-informed Decision-making Models Determinants of Health Health Equity Learning Styles and Collaborative Learning Communication/Social Styles Giving and Receiving Feedback Cultural Safety & Humility Trauma-informed Care Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare Team functioning, Group Dynamics and Processes Interpersonal and Intraprofessional communication
Learning resources
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.