Employment Trends of Dental Hygiene Graduates from a Southeast Georgia University

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the existence of employment trends with respect to benefits, salary, and work environment of Armstrong Atlantic State University dental hygiene graduates within a 10-year period. Following IRB approval, an ex post facto review of the 1997 through 2006 graduate surveys (46 item) was conducted. A limitation was indicated regarding slight revisions to specific survey items due evolving trends in salary and adjunct duties. Analyzing nominal data, based on percentages, the sample (N= 126), revealed that the majority of graduates practiced in a small city (50 000-200 000 population), in one dental office, 32-40 hours weekly, treating 9 patients daily. Similarly, the majority of graduates were paid salary wages, with only a small percentage receiving commission or a combination thereof. Further, it was found that sick leave, paid vacation, holidays, and raises remained relatively constant from 1997-2004; from 2005, a downward trend was indicated. Likewise, from 1997-2004 there was a relative increase for the provision of medical and liability insurance, with a noticeable decline thereafter. The number of graduates receiving free dental care decreased by nearly half in 2006 as compared to the years of 1997 and 1998. Over the years, the number of graduates eligible for discounted dental care increased. Between the years 1997 and 2005, performance of adjunct duties (use of desensitizing agents, antimicrobials, local delivery antibiotics, and sealants) tended to fluctuate, where in 2006 there was a sharp decline. Nutritional counseling and treatment planning services demonstrated a declining trend over the 10-year span. In conclusion and unexplainable, the year 2004 indicated the most favorable results in the aforementioned categories. Further concluded, the terms of employment, throughout the years, reflected that graduates tended to work full time in one dental practice.