Other
Kovie Luu, B.SC
DMD Student
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Keith Da Silva, DDS, MSC
Assistant Professor/Director BSc Dent Program
University of Saskatchewan
College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Purpose: This research explores continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for dental regulatory/licensing authorities located in USA/Canada, and their preferences towards different learning and assessment strategies.
Methods: Data was first retrieved through an environmental scan of CPD requirements posted on the websites for the 62 regulatory/licensing authorities in USA/Canada. Subsequently, an electronic questionnaire was distributed to the appropriate contact at each regulatory authority to capture additional data related to knowledge and preferences.
Results: The environmental scan revealed that Canadian CPD programs had a significantly higher (P < .05) average of required CPD hours (26.67 ± 5.44) when compared to the USA (18.20 ± 4.23). For the survey component, 35 completed responses were received (response rate 56%). A total of 54% of respondents indicated that they rarely incorporate formative assessments, and 68% only sometimes or often incorporate summative assessments into their CPD programs. Additionally, 63% of respondents never incorporate predisposing activities, and 57% never incorporate reinforcing activities. It was perceived that renewal fees were insufficient to finance ongoing CPD costs (60%) and external industry sponsorships were required to sustain programs (43%). Respondents indicated that there are an insufficient number of evidence-based courses available in cariology, pediatric dentistry, and orthodontics.
Conclusions: Formative and summative assessments, and predisposing and reinforcing learning activities were not viewed as essential tools in CPD programs. Costs and human resources could be possible obstacles in incorporating learning activities and assessments. Future studies can build from the initial results of this study to improve the quality of learning in CPD programs.