CDA Essentials 2018 • Volume 5 • Issue 1

17 Issue 1 | 2018 | N ews and E vents Dr. Anne Charbonneau Professor, faculty of dentistry, University of Montreal Dr. Leandra Best Clinical professor and senior associate dean, faculty of dentistry, University of British Columbia  Why did the ACFD decide to revise the existing document? AC: Our understanding of competency-based education has evolved since the guidelines were first published in 1994. We see more health profession programs adopting tiered competency documents that provide a better picture of the complex skills, knowledge, and attitudes that are expected of a new graduate. Most current health competency documents have 5 to 7 competencies. The ACFD framework is adapted from the 2015 CanMEDS framework and the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Competencies for the New General Dentist . Being able to compare frameworks across health professions will help to facilitate multidisciplinary curricular approaches.  What are the core competencies identified in the framework? AC: The framework identifies five areas of compet ence: (1) patient-centred care , (2) professionalism , (3) c ommunication and collaboration , (4) pract ice and information management and (5) health prom otion . Each competency in the new framework links to the 2014 National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) KSAs (knowledge, skills and attitudes) and to the competencies in 2005's Competencies for a Beginning Dental Practitioner in Canada . Compared to that older document, this new framework provides a more in-depth description of some competencies, such as professionalism, communication and collaboration. These competencies are essential, because being a dentist is more than just performing a crown or filling procedure, it is also about demonstrating professionalism and being able to communicate with patients, staff and other professionals.  What are the main objectives of the new educational framework? AC: The framework will guide student learning and help educators teach and assess competencies across the curriculum. The proposed framework also allows dental programs NEW COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK for Canadian Dental Programs In 2015, the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD) adopted a new educational framework for the development of competencies in dental programs, with a renewed emphasis on professionalism, communication and collaboration. This framework is intended to define a “common language” amongst Canadian faculties of dentistry. It is a conceptual tool aimed to guide student learning and curriculum development. CDA spoke with two members of the ACFDAcademic Affairs Committee, who were tasked with creating this new document. Dr. Anne Charbonneau (AC) participated in the development of this new academic framework and Dr. Leandra Best (LB) is involved in its implementation.