Abstract
Purpose: Dental hygienists have often been described as the registered nurses of the dental field. Similar parallels also exist between the development of the nurse practitioner from the nursing profession and the evolution of the dental hygiene practice and profession. This article explores 3 major similarities between the professions of nurse practitioner and dental hygienist. Public health issues, educational constructs, and the social and political environments shaping each profession are discussed to inform dental hygienists of their potential career options for future expanded therapeutic care roles.
Footnotes
Heather Taylor, MPH, LDH, is a Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor at the Indiana University School of Dentistry in the Department of Cardiology, Operative Dentistry and Dental Public Health.
This study supports the NDHRA priority area, Professional Education and Development: Investigate how other health professions have established the masters and doctoral levels of education as their entry level into practice.
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