Journal of dental hygiene : JDH
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Purpose: The objective of this qualitative pilot study was to gain an in-depth understanding of dental hygienists and dentists perspectives regarding children's oral health and what needs to be done to prevent early childhood caries (ECC), the most frequent chronic disease of childhood. Methods: A skilled facilitator conducted four focus groups and four phone interviews with 20 dental hygienists and 17 dentists practicing in a variety of locations within the state of Maryland. The interview guide was based on results from previous state-wide surveys of dental hygienists and dentists. ⋯ Conclusions: Current approaches to educating low-income adults about caries prevention are insufficient to prevent ECC and dental care providers cannot accomplish this goal alone. Ensuring that all dental care providers have a science-based understanding of caries prevention is critical. Integrating science-based oral health preventive care into medical and nursing undergraduate programs could increase providers' knowledge and confidence towards incorporating oral health into patient care plans; improve the oral health literacy of providers and patients; and improve patient oral health outcomes.
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Purpose: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act changed the paradigm of health care delivery by addressing interprofessional education (IPE) and care (IPC). These considerations, combined with evolving dental hygiene (DH) workforce models, challenge DH educators and clinicians alike to embrace IPE and IPC. The objectives of this study were to determine DH program directors' perceptions of the importance of IPE, to assess current and planned activities related to Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards that imply competency in IPE, and assessment of outcomes. ⋯ Competency assessment was mostly determined with clinic-based activities (N=43) and other activities such as rubrics (N=16) and the development of IPE assessment tools (N=10). Thirty-three respondents named positive aspects of IPE and 13 saw IPE as relevant for the dental hygiene profession. Conclusion: Accountable accreditation standards have been identified as the driver of change for incorporating IPE, making an explicit IPE standard for dental hygiene education an important agenda item for the profession.
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Purpose: Dental hygiene students nearing completion of their educational programs are required to take written and clinical examinations in order to be eligible for licensure. The written licensure exam, the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE), is administered by the Joint Commission of National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). Failing a licensing examination is a costly experience for students and has the potential for a negative impact on a program's accreditation status. ⋯ In regard to mock board exams, directors "agreed/strongly agreed" (75%) that the mock board exam is a useful coaching tool in the overall process of NBDHE preparations. A majority (65%) indicated they were not concerned with failure rates, and 43% reported failure rates do reflect on the program. Conclusion: These results suggest that the majority of dental hygiene programs are utilizing strategies to prepare students for the NBDHE with board review textbooks and board review courses named as the top two strategies.
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Purpose: To assess electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, factors associated with use, and exposure to e-cigarette-related information from health professionals in a sample of college students attending a public university in northern California, using a web-based survey. Methods: In this quantitative cross-sectional study, survey items assessed e-cigarette use, perceived risks and benefits, and exposure to e-cigarette-related information from health professionals and were pilot tested for feasibility and acceptability. Participants were recruited from three courses taught at a northern California public university and were given an electronic link to the survey with informed consent information. ⋯ Counseling about the adverse health effects of cigarettes was more common in this study population. Conclusion: Dental hygienists must stay current with the scientific evidence related to e-cigarette use and incorporate such information into their client tobacco-related counseling. Addressing the perceived physical and social risks associated with e-cigarette use when counseling college students may deter them from initiating or continuing e-cigarette use.
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Purpose: To assess the perceptions and attitudes of dental hygiene (DH) educators at selected colleges and universities regarding the establishment of doctoral educational programs in DH in the United States. Methods: An online survey of DH educators at the 58 U. S. schools offering baccalaureate or master's degree programs was used to assess participants' perceptions and attitudes regarding the following: need to establish doctoral programs in DH, interests in supporting their development, potential barriers and facilitators, and goals/motivators of potential enrollees. ⋯ Facilitators included support from the American Dental Education Association and the American Dental Hygienists' Association. Becoming a better researcher and an institutional administrator were perceived as chief motivations. Conclusion: The majority of DH educators perceived that doctoral educational programs in DH are needed to advance the DH profession.