The Attitudes of Dental Hygiene Students Toward Unverserved populations

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate the attitudes of dental hygiene (DH) students toward underserved populations, and to compare their attitudes to the attitudes of freshman dental students (DDS).

Methods. A validated questionnaire designed to measure dental students' attitudes toward providing care to underserved populations was used. Freshman dental and dental hygiene students at the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry were asked to complete this questionnaire. The study was restricted to female DH students.

Results. The response rate among DH students was 95%; mean age was 25 years; 22% were Asians, and 33% were Caucasians. The mean attitudes scores were not significantly different between the DDS and DH students. However, among Caucasians, DDS students scored more positively by 13% in the student responsibility component of the instrument than did DH students (p<0.01), and they were more likely to believe that acsess to medical care in America is influenced by type of residence (rural vs. urban) (42% higher; p=0.03). Six percent of the DDS students paid some of their tuition from scholarshps campared to 67% of the DH students.Total attitudes scores were 5% more positive among students with scholarship (p=0.04). Fifty-three percent of the DDS students were involved in providing care for the needy before enrolling in dental school compared to 43% of the DH students(p=0.36). Lastly, 82% of the DDS students believed that all population groups should receive free dental care compared to 60% of the DH students (p=0.03).

Conclusions. Significant differences were found between DDS and DH students in terms of their attitudes toward underserved populations, with students who paid some of their ttuition from scholarships having more favorable attitudes. Further analysis and studies are needed to determine whether the scholarships themselves, or their elilgibility criteria, are behind such an effect.