As we approach the halfway point of the first year of the modernized Quality Assurance Program (QAP), we know the QAP continues to be an area of interest for oral health professionals. We understand why — the QAP matters to you as an individual in practice, and it matters to patients who rely on us to ensure the public is well-served by competent oral healthcare professionals.
The update below addresses common themes we are seeing in the questions that have been coming in about the program.
Overview of QAP requirements
As a condition of licensure, oral health professionals are required to participate in the QAP each year, from April 1 to March 31. While the QAP requirements are consistent across all types of oral health professionals, each professional’s goals and learning activities should reflect their own practice, experience and scope.
All activities are accessible through your QAP dashboard.
Components A, B and C
The QAP has three components that work together to create a clear, supportive and proportionate approach to ongoing competence.
As a reminder, all oral health professionals are required to complete Components A and B each year. Many of you have already made progress on these components.
Following the end of the QAP year (March 31), some oral health professionals will also be selected to complete Component C. This can happen in two ways:
- through an audit process designed to identify those who may benefit from individualized support or those who have been referred through another regulatory pathway
- when QAP requirements (such as completion of Components A and B) have not been met, participation in Component C is mandatory
Helpful QAP information
Below, we’ve brought together information on some of the topics our Quality Assurance team has received the most questions about in recent months. We hope these resources help clarify the program and support you in completing your QAP requirements this year.
We have also updated the FAQ on our website with new questions and answers based on questions we’ve recently received from oral health professionals.
Professional goals
The QAP requires oral health professionals to establish a minimum of two professional goals annually. Additional goals may be set as desired or appropriate. Goals may be clinical or non-clinical and can support ongoing competence, professional growth or improvement in a specific area of practice. Multi-year goals are permitted where development is ongoing, provided relevant continuing professional development (CPD) activities are completed each year. Goals may be updated throughout the year as needed.
Oral health professionals are responsible for assessing and determining whether their goals have been successfully achieved.
For more information, refer to Setting professional goals (PDF).
Continuing professional development (CPD) requirements
The QAP recognizes a range of learning activities in support of professional development.
Oral health professionals are required to set a minimum of two professional goals and link one or more continuing professional development (CPD) activity to each goal. CPD should support the goal and the individual’s practice needs. If your CPD is linked to a goal, proof of completion must be uploaded. Additional CPD activities are encouraged and may be self-reported throughout the year.
For guidance on CPD requirements and submission, refer to Continuing professional development (PDF) and the Component A training video.
Multiple licensure requirements
Oral health professionals who hold more than one licence must complete a self-inventory for each licence each year. You will have a separate QAP profile for each licence you hold with BCCOHP.
Remaining mandatory program components only need to be completed once and can be applied across licences, where appropriate. When setting professional goals and selecting CPD activities, ensure they are relevant to the scope of practice and requirements of both/all of your licensed professions.
Do you hold more than one licence with BCCOHP?
If you hold more than one BCCOHP licence, please contact the QA department at qualityassurance@oralhealthbc.ca to ensure your account is configured correctly and reflects your annual program requirements.
Patient and peer experience survey
Patient and peer experience surveys recently launched on the BCCOHP website. The surveys are a way for patients and peers to share their experience with a regulated oral health professional, and will help BCCOHP better understand patient experiences as well as the collaboration and contributions of oral health professionals, including those who do not provide direct patient care.
Oral health professionals will also have the opportunity to review the survey reports that relate to them at the end of each year. You can learn more about the surveys through your QAP dashboard, including how you can invite your patients/peers to participate.
Record retention
Oral health professionals are responsible for maintaining their own records that demonstrate completion of QAP requirements outside of the BCCOHP system, including CPD activities completed as part of Component A and, where applicable, individualized follow-up activities completed as part of Component C.
For more information, refer to section 3 of the FAQ >>
Extensions and accommodations, and leave requests
Oral health professionals facing barriers to QAP participation (such as a temporary leave from practice or health related circumstances) may request an extension or accommodation to support the successful completion of program requirements.
For eligibility details and available options, click here or contact qualityassurance@oralhealthbc.ca for assistance.
Troubleshooting
If you experience any technical issues with your QAP dashboard, please review the QAP troubleshooting steps within the FAQ page before contacting the QA department. These steps can help resolve common issues and explain what information to provide if further assistance is needed.
Feedback opportunities
Once you have finished your QAP components, you will have the opportunity to complete a post-learning feedback survey. These surveys are the main way we collect feedback. Detailed comments and specific examples are particularly helpful in supporting our evaluation and ongoing enhancement of the program.
Questions?
More information on the Quality Assurance Program is available on our website and FAQ. If you have a question that isn’t addressed in the FAQ, email qualityassurance@oralhealthbc.ca.