To continue on with sharing the deficiencies that we found in this year's QA Records submissions....

This week, we will focus on the QA Test.

We had some dental hygienists contact us after they did not pass their QA Test and received the deficiency report.

Some had said that they "heard" the test was "easy" and took that option, only to discover that it is not that easy.

You see everyone gets a different test. No two tests are alike. The passing score for any given test will be unique to the combination of questions that appear on that particular test.

For example, a test that has a combination of more difficult questions will not have a passing score as high as a test that has a combination of easier questions on it.

The questions that appear on any test will be completely randomized.

Upon completion of the QA Test, registrants will not receive a final score or percentage, but will receive an overall exam result (successful or unsuccessful).

Additional feedback will include whether the standard was met or not in each of the ten question competencies.

Notification of incorrect answers at the completion of the test will not be provided.

The expectation to prepare for the test is that it should take you approximately 75 hours to prepare for the test. (Learning Portfolio is 75 hours of CQI activities).

As of November 2018, the test is no longer administered through the National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB). It is now found on your SMILE Portal.

So, how would one prepare for the test? Here is a list of helpful resources:

• Any current dental hygiene textbook and/or dental hygiene review book
• CDHO Registrants’ Handbook CDHO’s Jurisprudence Education Module
• CDHO Drugs in Dental Hygiene Practice Course
• CDHO Knowledge Network CDHO Guidelines
• CDHO Legislation and Bylaws Milestones Publications Dental Drug Reference

If you are taking the test...even though you are taking the test, you must be current on topics and it is expected of you to participate in Professional Development courses.

rdhu courses that will help you prepare for your QA Test and Practice Profile questions correctly (see below for registration):

~ Practice Profile Workshop or Quality Assurance Workshop (Coming this fall! Recording available for the summer months)

~ Process of Care (Coming this fall)

~ Documentation and Record Keeping (Coming this fall)

~ Prudent Jurisprudence (Coming this fall)

And other courses...

~ Infection Prevention and Control (through Germiphene)

~ Medical Emergencies (on the QA Coach portal)

And here is some exciting news....Beth Parkes and Kerry Lepicek are in the process of creating a QA Test Prep course designed to help you succeed!

~ QA Prep Test (Coming this fall) Click here to access!

For me, I like doing the Learning Portfolio and will always choose that option. Perhaps the QA Test is an option for you?!

And this, my friends, concludes the sharing of the 2021 Deficiencies through the On-Track Tuesdays!

If you need QA help, we have a group of wonderful coaches who would love to help you! Let's get you started ASAP! Get peace of mind and hire a coach!

Thank you for reading and have a great week ahead. Please take a look below for what is coming up!

Kindest regards,

Kathleen