title: Differences between diploma and baccalaureate dental hygiene education in British Columbia: a qualitative perspective.
abstract: The British Columbia Ministry of Health in Canada approved a new registration category for dental hygienists in 2012. This category included four abilities that registrants were required to demonstrate at a 4th-year baccalaureate degree level.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the differences, if any, between diploma and bachelor's degree education with regard to the 4 legislated abilities focused on the process of care for clients with complex needs and/or disabling conditions including client safety, referrals and interprofessional collaboration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Registrants who had entered practice with a diploma and then gained a baccalaureate degree were invited to participate in an online survey including closed- and open-ended questions. The study was a mixed-method design where the qualitative data were nested concurrently in the open-ended questions; the data were analysed through thematic analysis using grounded theory methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respondents (n = 123; 51%) indicated their client care had improved with baccalaureate education due to increased knowledge, increased understanding and increased abilities to make judgements with a particular emphasis on evidence-based decisions. These more advanced abilities provided them with increased confidence for taking action particularly in interprofessional contexts and increased the quality of their decision-making thus leading to better care for clients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respondents described their dental hygiene services as generally being of a higher standard and specifically in the 4 legislated abilities as a direct result of baccalaureate education.
authors: Omni Educational Group Ltd, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V7V 2R9.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Sunell
authors: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V7V 2R9.
authors: Rdd
authors: R
authors: McFarlane
authors: College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, V7V 2R9.
authors: H C
authors: HC
authors: Biggar
mesh_terms: D001955:British Columbia; D002983:Clinical Competence; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making; D003729:Dental Care / Q000592:standards; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education*; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: baccalaureate degree; competencies; dental hygiene education; dental hygienists; outcome assessment