Abstract
Purpose: This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental hygienists, licensed in the state of California, regarding polypharmacy and off-label drug use for purposes in dentistry.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to off-label drug use and polypharmacy via an online survey tool. The study sample included licensed dental hygienists, who were members of the Long Beach and Tri-County Dental Hygienists' Associations located in Southern California (n=360). Descriptive statistics were used to assess the participant characteristics. ANOVA was used to assess differences in knowledge, attitudes and practices when compared to three key variables: highest academic/professional degree, experience and license type.
Results: One hundred seven electronic surveys (n=107) were returned for a 34% response rate. Over half of respondents (53%) held an associates' degree for their license, most (72%) worked in a general dentistry setting and 46% had practiced 15 years or less. Regarding knowledge of polypharmacy and off-label drug use, the results demonstrated very low knowledge, with 25% of the respondents unable to answer any of the knowledge questions correctly. No significant differences in practices related to off-label drugs or polypharmacy were found based on type of licensure, highest degree achieved, or years of experience. However, participants holding a baccalaureate degree or higher were significantly more confident (p=.011) in discussing polypharmacy with patients and colleagues.
Conclusion: Participants showed a general low-level of knowledge related to polypharmacy and off-label drug use in dentistry regardless of their level of education, years of experience, or type of dental hygiene licensure; indicating a need for increased pharmacology content in both entry-level dental hygiene programs and continuing education courses.
Footnotes
Kristen Marie Stephens, RDH, MS is an instructor in the Department of Dental Hygiene, West Coast University, Anaheim, CA.
Tara Johnson, RDH, PhD ia an associate professor; JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD is a professor and graduate program director; both in the Department of Dental Hygiene, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID.
This manuscript supports the NDHRA priority area: Professional development (Education): Evaluation.
- Received May 18, 2017.
- Accepted January 7, 2018.
- Copyright © 2018 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association