Development of Integrated Curriculum for Basic Dental Hygiene Based on Competencies

Background: To train dental hygienists to utilize knowledge in practice, an integrated curriculum based on the competencies of dental hygienists is expanding; however, in the field of basic dental hygiene the curriculum is still fragmented and based on segmented knowledge. This study developed an integrated curriculum based on the competencies of dental hygienists in Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Physiology, which are subjects for basic dental hygiene that have high linkage and overlap. Methods: After selecting the learning objectives for the integrated curriculum from those of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Physiology, the duties of the dental hygienist in relation to the learning objectives were analyzed. Learning objectives were combined with the duties of a dental hygienist to derive competencies for an integrated curriculum. Referring to the syllabus and learning objectives for each subject, the weekly educational content, learning objectives, and credits of the integrated curriculum were derived. After conducting a Delphi survey to validate the competency and content of the derived integrated curriculum, an integrated curriculum was developed. Results: By using the first and second Delphi surveys, four competencies were developed for dental hygienists that can be achieved through an integrated basic dental hygiene curriculum. In addition, an integrated curriculum including the courses Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Physiology, Structure and Function of the Human Body/Head/Neck, and Structure and Function of the Oral Cavity was established. Conclusion: This study presents a specific example for developing a competency-based integrated curriculum that can be used as a framework to derive a competency-based integrated curriculum among subjects that can be integrated according to the linkage of learning contents and the competencies that can be achieved.