Updates to the Quality Assurance Program
In 2022, we began a comprehensive review of the QA Program. We surveyed RDHs and the results suggested that the current QA Program met the needs of some RDHs, but not all. Less than half of survey respondents felt that the current Program was important to their professional development. Part of our commitment to the public is to support the continuing competence of all RDHs, so this number was way too low.
With this in mind, we undertook to see how we could revise QA in a way that aligns with a larger proportion of the profession and supports differences in individual learning styles and approaches to continuing competence. This led to further consultation with RDHs and a review of published literature on QA programs for regulated professionals. What resulted was the development of a Strategic Plan for the QA Program that outlines short, intermediate and long-term goals.
The mission for the new QA Program is “Assuring safe and effective dental hygiene practice through commitment, continuous learning, communities of practice, and collaborative conversations”.
To support the collaborative conversations piece of the new mission statement, we began developing Peer Circles with extensive involvement from the profession. Peer Circles are facilitated group discussions using hypothetical cases. A RDH facilitator guides a group of 8–10 RDHs through the discussion of cases that highlight challenging and relevant practice issues. In March 2024, we announced that Peer Circles will be a new, fourth Path option available to RDHs participating in assessment. To provide RDHs with an opportunity to experience Peer Circles, several optional sessions were scheduled in early 2024 and more are scheduled for the remainder of the year.
Path Options
If you volunteer or are selected for assessment, you can choose one of the four Paths:
| Path 1 | Path 2 | Path 3 |
| Self-Assessment | Self-Assessment | Self-Assessment |
| Learning Portfolio and peer-to-peer learning conversation | Written Assessment (QA Test) | Written Assessment (QA Test) |
| Practice Profile | Practice Profile | On-site Practice Review |
| Path 4 (NEW) |
| Self-Assessment |
| Peer Circle activity 1, written reflection, and coaching session |
| Peer Circle activity 2, written reflection, and coaching session |
Path 1 – Learning Portfolio + Practice Profile + Coaching
If you choose Path 1, you will complete a Learning Portfolio by submitting your learning goals and activities completed between January 2022 and June 30, 2025. You will need to report on a total of 25 hours of goal-related learning. This is less than RDHs have been asked to submit in the past; we are revising the process and want to start with a reduced number of hours so that the focus is on reflection and conversation about learning activities, rather than just the number of hours. If you are currently practising, you will also complete the Practice Profile.
Your Learning Portfolio and Practice Profile can be submitted via the SMILE Portal any time between January 1 and June 30, 2025.
Peer-to-peer learning conversations focusing on experiences with the Learning Portfolio and learning activities will take place by December 31, 2025. We will match you with a Peer Coach and group of 8 – 10 RDHs with availability that fits your schedule.
Path 2 – QA Test + Practice Profile
If you choose Path 2, you will need to successfully complete the online Written Assessment (QA Test) and, if practising, complete the Practice Profile by December 31, 2025.
Path 3 – QA Test + Onsite Practice Review
If you choose Path 3, you will need to successfully complete the online Written Assessment (QA Test) and participate in an on-site practice review by December 31, 2025.
Path 4 (New!) – Peer Circles + Coaching + Reflective Summary
If you choose Path 4, in 2025 you will be assigned to an online Peer Circle of 8 – 10 RDHs, who will be with you in both Peer Circle discussions.
Your group will be led by a trained RDH facilitator who will guide the discussion. Following each Peer Circle, you will write a one-page reflection, and then the facilitator will schedule a 30–45-minute conversation with you. These one-to-one reflective conversations with the facilitator are not an oral exam. They are designed to be a conversation about your experience with the Peer Circle and your dental hygiene practice. These are the types of questions you can expect to discuss:
- What were some of the things you learned from the Peer Circle discussion?
- Compared with others in the Peer Circles, how would you rate your contributions to the discussion?
- What were some things you learned in the discussion that will inform your practice in the future?
- What are some areas of risk in your practice that you would like to focus on?
As much as possible, Peer Circles will be arranged based on participants’ availability. One-on-one coaching sessions will be scheduled within one to three weeks following the Peer Circle. You’ll be expected to work on your written reflection between the Peer Circle event and the scheduled conversation with your Peer Coach.
The same process will repeat for your second Peer Circle and coaching conversation later in the year. We will aim to have all Peer Circles and coaching completed by December 31, 2025.
Please note that Peer Circle events held throughout 2024 will not count towards the new Path 4 because these events do not include the coaching component. You can, however, use the time spent in 2024 Peer Circles for your Learning Portfolio!
What’s Next
- Optional in-person and online Peer Circles continue throughout 2024.
- We will continue to recruit and train additional facilitators.
- The role of “Assessors” is being modified to become “Peer Coaches”. Peer Coaches will receive training on new skills and approaches to assessment.
- We’re exploring options to upgrade the SMILE Portal to make it more user-friendly.
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 1‑800‑268-2346 ext. 8802 or email qualityassurance@cdho.org.