Dental Hygiene

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate commitment to the health of the public and the profession by integrating high ethical standards, best practices and legislative requirements in their provision of care (Professionalism).
• Apply critical thinking, problem-solving, and evidence informed decision-making in the delivery of oral health care (Evidence-informed practice).
• Apply communication principles to provide culturally safe and relevant care (Communication).
• Collaborate as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team to provide safe, effective, and ethical person-, family-, and community-centred care (Collaboration).
• Implement national and provincial practice standards and policies in a variety of community and clinical practice environments (Practice Management).
• Promote health and wellness using an inclusive and intercultural approach by applying the ADPIE framework (Prevention, Education, and Health Promotion).
• Provide preventative, therapeutic and supportive dental hygiene care to deliver safe and comprehensive person-centred care for diverse people across the lifespan using the Assess Diagnose Plan Implement Evaluate (ADPIE) framework (Clinical Therapy).

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

Professionalism: Graduates demonstrate a commitment to the health of the public and the profession by integrating high ethical standards, best practices, and legislative requirements.  Competent dental hygienists exhibit professional behaviour, demonstrate a commitment to serving society, integrate professional responsibilities into practice, and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.

Evidence Informed Practice: Graduates demonstrate a commitment to excellence in practice through critical thinking continuous learning, and application of evidence-informed decision-making. Competent dental hygienists demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills; apply an evidence-informed approach to decision-making; and use various methods of inquiry.

Communication: Graduates demonstrate the ability to form relationships with individuals, families, groups, and communities to facilitate the gathering and sharing of essential information for culturally safe and relevant care. Competent dental hygienists demonstrate effective oral and non-verbal communication, and use written communication effectively.

Collaboration: Graduates demonstrate the ability to work as integral members of the healthcare team, working in partnership with others to provide safe, effective and ethical person-, family-, and community-centred approaches to care. Competent dental hygienists collaborate with people accessing dental hygiene services, oral health professionals, and others.

Practice Management: Graduates demonstrate the ability to manage a professional practice environment, utilizing organization, administration, and decision-making skills that facilitate high-quality care, efficient use of time and personnel, and enhanced professional and personal satisfaction. Competent dental hygienists fulfill administrative responsibilities, integrate legislative and professional responsibilities within organizational policies, and engage in entrepreneurial activities.

Prevention, Education, and Health Promotion: Graduates demonstrate an inclusive and intercultural approach to health and wellness. Using health promotion, education, and disease and injury prevention activities, dental hygienists help support other’s ability to achieve and maintain optimal oral health. Competent dental hygienists lead the development of health literacy and oral self-care abilities; engage in prevention, education, and health promotion activities; and engage in advocacy to address oral health inequities.

Clinical Therapy: Graduates demonstrate the ability to provide preventive, therapeutic, and supportive dental hygiene care. Using the ADPIE framework to support safe and comprehensive person-centred care for diverse people across the lifespan. Competent dental hygienists assess oral and general health status, formulate a dental hygiene diagnosis, create a dental hygiene care plan, implement the dental hygiene care plan, and evaluate the effectiveness of dental hygiene care.

*Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada (FDHRC).  Entry-to-Practice Canadian Competencies for Dental Hygienists.  Ottawa, ON: FDHRC, 2021.  Available from: 
https://www.fdhrc.ca/sites/files/EPCCoDH_FDHRC_November_2021.pdf

Program-specific

General

• This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
• Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
• Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
• Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.

Program Considerations