BCCOHP is working to establish a modernized Quality Assurance Program for all oral health professionals. One of the three main ways BCCOHP protects the public is by ensuring that all regulated oral health professionals are supported in the provision of safe oral health care throughout their careers. This work is carried out through our Quality Assurance Program.
Modernizing the Quality Assurance Program (QAP) is a key strategic priority in BCCOHP’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan and is also a necessary step in meeting legislative requirements under the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA).
We are currently nearing completion of the design and development stage of this work. In summer 2025, BCCOHP held a consultation inviting feedback from oral health professionals and the public on the proposed framework for a modernized QAP.
This update provides as a preliminary response to the wide range of feedback received through the consultation by:
- Sharing major consultation feedback themes
- Outlining next steps for program refinement and implementation
Consultation overview
The public consultation on the proposed framework for a modernized QAP opened on June 12 and ran through to August 5, 2025. Invitations to participate in an online survey were sent directly to all oral health professionals regulated by BCCOHP and other targeted groups, as well as being open to the public via the BCCOHP website.
The consultation was intentionally conducted early in the design phase to ensure that feedback was obtained early enough to shape the program at this formative stage.
Response summary
The consultation took place via an online survey with structured and open-ended questions (written submissions were also accepted via email). Thank you to everyone who took the time to engage through this consultation. We received:
- 1,148 responses from oral health professionals
- 43% dental hygienists
- 38% dentists
- 14% certified dental assistants
- 2% denturists
- 1% dental technicians
- <1% dental therapists
- 2% preferred not to answer
- 107 responses from the public (669 total site visits received)
Key themes from feedback
The feedback was analyzed in consultation with our research partner. Through that analysis, several themes emerged and are summarized below:
| Theme | Summary |
| Level of detail provided in this early engagement | Respondents expressed a desire for additional detail about program structure and rollout. |
| Support for modernization | Broad support for a reflective, standards-based quality assurance model was evident in the responses. |
| Rationale for change | Confusion around the rationale for changing the program and calls for clearer communication were noted. |
| Requests for more information about the evidence and research | Interest was expressed in the evidence and research that informed the program design. |
| Clarity of program purpose | Respondents wanted greater transparency on how competence would be demonstrated and how quality assurance tools align with evidence and public safety. |
| Tool usability and implementation | A desire for intuitive, accessible tools with clear examples was noted. |
| Fairness and equity | Requests for consistent and equitable expectations across professions, with flexibility based on professions and practice settings/context (e.g., rural, international, part-time). |
| Role of self-assessment | Interest in reflective practice, provided they are meaningful, align with standards, and not duplicative or administratively burdensome. |
Considering the feedback
The consultation feedback and themes have been presented for review by the Quality Assurance Committee. The feedback on the proposed framework that was received via the consultation will help frame and inform the design of the modernized QAP for all oral health professionals.
Questions and answers
We recognize and appreciate the interest that oral health professionals have in the program design. While the program design has not been finalized, we have assembled a set of FAQs in order to address some of the themes, questions and main points of interest that emerged through the summer 2025 consultation on the proposed framework. View the FAQ >>
Next steps
With consultation complete, BCCOHP is continuing program development. The next step is to ensure the final design is informed by the feedback received through the consultation, is patient-centered, proportionate, and aligned with our mandate to protect patients and the public.
BCCOHP remains committed to ongoing communication and transparency throughout implementation. Future engagement opportunities will allow oral health professionals and the public to stay informed and access support as the QAP moves forward.
After the program design is finalized and approved by the Board, BCCOHP will share the program design with oral health professionals and begin planning for implementation/rollout and preparing supporting materials to ensure a smooth transition to the modernized Program.