Journal of dental hygiene : JDH
-
Comparative Study
Magnification loupes in U.S. entry-level dental hygiene programs--occupational health and safety.
The purpose of this study was to determine policies and practices regarding magnification loupes among faculty and students in accredited dental hygiene programs as measured by a 31 item, self-designed questionnaire. In addition, the study compared policies among dental hygiene programs in 2 year versus 4 year programs in terms of requirements for the use of magnification loupes. ⋯ Most respondents see advantages to loupes, but clinical policies on loupes do not appear to correlate with beliefs. Educational programs in dental hygiene seem slow to adopt and require the use of loupes. Current clinical polices on loupes should be reviewed to ensure graduates experience the potential ergonomic benefits magnification brings to clinical practice during their education.
-
According to the report Healthy People 2010, oral health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate oral health decisions. Studies have linked a patient's health literacy to a variety of significant health behaviors, statuses and outcomes. ⋯ S., the effects of literacy levels on treatment and patient outcomes, literacy assessment in the practice setting and the effects of a patient's literacy on communication with a dental health provider. The implications of inadequate patient oral health literacy on the practice of dental hygienists and communication recommendations are discussed, as is the need for future research specifically on oral health literacy.
-
Comparative Study
Use of complementary and alternative medicine for work-related pain correlates with career satisfaction among dental hygienists.
Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSP) is associated with work stress and burn-out among registered dental hygienists, with prevalence estimates ranging between 64 to 93%. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies can be helpful in managing CMSP. The purpose of this study was to determine if dental hygienists who use CAM have greater career satisfaction compared to conventional therapy (CT) users. ⋯ CAM therapies may improve quality of life, reduce work disruptions and enhance career satisfaction for dental hygienists who suffer from CMSP. Ergonomics education may help reduce the number of hygienists who suffer from CMSP. Increased student awareness of CMSP risk is needed to reduce CMSP in the future by enhancing ergonomics education and incorporating CAM, such as yoga stretches, into the classroom and clinic routine.
-
Dental hygienists' evaluation of local anesthesia education and administration in the United States.
The goal of this project was to investigate the educational experiences and the use of local anesthesia by dental hygiene providers in the U.S. ⋯ This examination parallels the results presented in previous studies, while offering new data relating to local anesthesia administration by dental hygienists. With the majority of dental hygienists reporting a perceived need and the use of this method of pain control, this practice appears to be a significant addition to overall dental care and dental hygiene education.
-
Comparative Study
Comparison of dental hygiene clinical instructor and student opinions of professional preparation for clinical instruction.
The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of professional preparation among clinical instructors employed in baccalaureate dental hygiene programs in the U.S. and to examine clinical instructors' and students' perceived need for educational preparation. The data-generating sample consisted of 285 dental hygiene clinical students and 76 dental hygiene clinical instructors from the 48 dental hygiene programs in the U.S. that offered a baccalaureate or higher degree in dental hygiene. ⋯ Both dental hygiene clinical instructors and students identified areas of potential improvement in the professional educational guidance of dental hygiene clinical instructors. Dental hygiene clinical education may benefit from including formal clinical instructor pre-employment preparation programs.