Finding spaces for dental hygiene curriculum renewal : a Delphi approach

Susanne Sunell; Zul Kanji

doi:10.13065/jksdh.2025.25.6.2

Finding spaces for dental hygiene curriculum renewal : a Delphi approach

Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
Abbr : J Korean Soc Dent Hyg
2025, 25(6), pp.473~485
DOI : 10.13065/jksdh.2025.25.6.2
Publisher : Korean Society of Dental Hygiene
Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > Dentistry
Received : November 17, 2025
Accepted : December 17, 2025
Published : December 30, 2025

Susanne Sunell ¹, Zul Kanji ¹

¹Oral Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of British Columbia

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The curriculum redesign process within the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Dental Hygiene Degree Program (DHDP) involved the creation of new curriculum in social entrepreneurship, advocacy, and interprofessional education. Thus the research question was: where can curriculum spaces be found for the new renewal themes? Methods: The DHDP course and section coordinators (n=16) were invited to a three-round Delphi study to explore curriculum spaces. Round 1 asked participants to identify curriculum spaces. Round 2 asked participants to rate their agreement with the round 1 items. Round 3 asked participants to rank items for implementation. Results: The response rate was 81% in round 1, 56% in round 2, and 69% in round 3. Consensus was reached to create spaces within (a) biomedical sciences, (b) statistics, oral epidemiology, and literature reviews, and (c) theory and practice. Twenty-six hours were found for social entrepreneurship and 24 hours for advocacy curriculum. Conclusions: Curriculum spaces were found but the redesign process can be challenging as faculty may experience a loss of their expertise. The findings of this study are specific to UBC’s program. However, the spaces found, and the lessons learned will likely resonate with faculty members across the health professions.

KEYWORDS

Baccalaureate degree, Curriculum design, Curriculum development, Delphi study, Dental hygiene education

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Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene 2025 KCI Impact Factor : 1.22

Finding spaces for dental hygiene curriculum renewal : a Delphi approach

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Journal Copyright Policy

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* References for papers published after 2025 are currently being built.

Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene 2025 KCI Impact Factor : 1.22

Finding spaces for dental hygiene curriculum renewal : a Delphi approach

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KEYWORDS

Journal Copyright Policy

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