Motivating influences and ability-based outcomes of dental hygiene baccalaureate education in Canada.

BACKGROUND: There is a scarcity of studies on Canadian baccalaureate dental hygienists. As discussions about baccalaureate education for dental hygiene continue on a national level, examining outcomes of earning a dental hygiene degree is paramount.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the motivating reasons and ability-based outcomes of earning a Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene (BDSc) degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada.

METHODS: UBC dental hygiene entry-to-practice (ETP) and degree-completion (DC) graduates (n = 116; 32%) from 1994 to 2016 participated in an online mixed-methods survey. Survey questions explored motivating reasons for pursuing dental hygiene degree education and abilities gained during their degree.

RESULTS: Primary reasons for pursuing a degree were personal satisfaction (82%), increasing knowledge base (82%), increasing employment opportunities (78%), status/recognition of a degree (76%), accessing graduate education (68%) and improving critical thinking abilities (61%). For DC graduates, abilities strengthened included enhanced skills for appraising research (92%), enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills (90%), enhanced skills for retrieving scientific information (88%) and increased value for lifelong learning (84%). Enhanced abilities positively influenced client care in the areas of evidence-based decision-making, communicating information to clients, and collaborating with other professionals. Overall, 93% of respondents believe a baccalaureate degree should be the ETP credential for dental hygiene because it enhances critical thinking and better prepares graduates for diverse roles in society with more complex populations.

CONCLUSION: The results highlight the impact of baccalaureate education on dental hygiene practice in Canada.