vcc.ca
DHYG 3275: Transition to Practice
Effective date
September 2026
Department
Dental Hygiene
School
Health Sciences
Description
This course prepares learners with workplace readiness skills necessary for obtaining employment as a licensed dental hygienist. This course includes the opportunity for graduating students to develop a professional portfolio for use in their career planning and position search, designed to showcase their experience, capabilities, potential for employment, and to reflect on opportunities for professional development. The role of the dental hygienist in inter-professional collaboration with certified dental specialists will also be explored.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
3rd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Self-reflect on attainment of entry-to-practice competencies and opportunities for professional development in the provision of safe and ethical dental hygiene care for diverse people, across the lifespan.
- Apply the ADPIE framework and evidence informed decision-making to deliver dental hygiene services in a variety of practice settings.
- Collaborate with certified oral health specialists for the purposes of ensuring optimal client care outcomes, safe practices and mutual respect and trust.
- Develop a professional portfolio that includes relevant experience, accomplishments, capabilities, and practice philosophy that can be used in career planning.
- Discuss successful strategies for conflict management and resolution that contribute to a positive workplace culture.
- Develop a professional resume for entry into dental hygiene practice.
- Prepare for a job interview by creating a list of personal statements, questions, and considerations relevant to professional practice.
- Discuss employment standards, rights and conditions in relation to a variety of dental hygiene practice environments.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 45
Total Hours: 45
Total Hours: 45
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 |
|
Portfolio |
45% |
Professional (Exit) E-Portfolio & Presentation |
|
Assignments |
20% |
Professional Resume & Cover Letter |
|
Project |
10% |
Role-play: Simulated Job Interview |
|
Assignments |
25% |
Self-Reflection Journal (Re: clinical/community experiences) |
Course topics
- Dental Specialties & Inter-professional Collaboration Community/Clinical/Preference Rotations Terms and Conditions of Employment, Employment Contracts, Employment Rights Career Planning and Workplace Readiness Skills Interview Skills Resume Writing Skills Positive Workplace Culture Conflict Resolution & Negotiation DH Certification and NDHCE Orientation DH Licensing and Registration Requirements for Employment Professional Portfolio Development
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.