Journal of dental hygiene : JDH
-
The purpose of this study was to determine if dental hygienists in the Commonwealth of Virginia experienced sexual harassment while employed in oral health care settings. Other interests were to determine if dental hygienists experienced sexual harassment, to what extent they felt professionally prepared to respond to unwanted sexual behaviors; did they perceive sexual harassment as a problem in the oral health care environment; and was attrition from their employment associated with sexual harassment. ⋯ Information about managing sexual harassment needs to be incorporated into the dental hygiene curricula. This curriculum addition should include information on identifying sexual harassment incidents, strategies for controlling unacceptable behavior, the legal rights of employees, and the process of filing a formal complaint. Dental hygienists need to identify sexual harassment behaviors and receive prevention training though continuing education courses. Furthermore, the American Dental Hygienists Association and the American Dental Association need to collaboratively develop guidelines and policies for dentists and dental hygienists regarding the management of sexual harassment in the oral health care setting.