RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Experiences of the Kansas Extended Care Permit Providers: A descriptive study JF American Dental Hygienists Association JO J Dent Hyg FD American Dental Hygienists Association SP 12 OP 20 VO 91 IS 4 A1 Paige M. McEvoy A1 Christopher J. Van Ness A1 Melanie L. Simmer-Beck A1 Bonnie G. Branson A1 Kathy Hunt A1 Cynthia C. Gadbury-Amyot YR 2017 UL http://jdh.adha.org/content/91/4/12.abstract AB Purpose: A total of 40 states to date have expanded the role of dental hygienists with the goal of improving access to basic oral health services for underserved populations. In Kansas, legislative changes have resulted in the Extended Care Permit (ECP) designation. The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences of registered dental hygienists in Kansas holding ECP certificates (ECP RDH) as of July of 2014.Methods: Secondary data analysis was performed utilizing data collected from a survey conducted in 2014 by Oral Health Kansas. All registered ECP RDH's were sent the 32-item survey via Survey Monkey®. Descriptive statistical analyses consisted of frequency distributions, and measures of central tendency. Inferential analyses using t-tests and ANOVA were conducted to compare groups.Results: A total of 73 responses were received from the (n= 176) surveys that were e-mailed for a 41% response rate. Of the clinicians who responded, 80%, worked at least part-time and in school settings. The most consistent barriers to providing care were the inability to directly bill insurance (52%), financial sustainability (42%) and physical requirements (42%). Follow-up tests found significant differencs between clinician groups when examining barriers.Conclusion: Although the ECP legislation appears to be expanding access to care for citizens in Kansas, significant barriers still exist in making this a viable model for oral healthcare delivery.