Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate how dental hygiene educational programs currently incorporate dental hygiene diagnosis (DHDx) into entry-level, dental hygiene curriculum.
Methods: An exploratory, quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study was designed to assess the extent to which DHDx is integrated into entry-level dental hygiene curriculum. A 30-item survey was designed and content validity established using a subset of dental hygiene faculty and researchers as well as participants from the American Dental Hygienists' Association. Data was collected using the Qualtrics® electronic platform; two electronic mailings were sent to all entry-level dental hygiene programs. All surveys included a consent form and confidentiality was maintained. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data.
Results: Of the 334 surveys e-mailed, 198 responses (n=198) were received for a 59% response rate. Of the program respondents, 98% (n=191) reported that the dental hygiene process of care and concepts specifically relating to the DHDx were being taught. In addition, 79% (n=153) of respondents confirmed that they “always” require students to write a DHDx statement for the patients. Of the respondents, 80% (n=150) recognized that formulating a DHDx should result in improved patient outcomes and 76% (n=143) indicated that formulating a DHDx increases the dental hygienist's accountability in patient care.
Conclusion: This exploratory study assessed the extent to which the DHDx is taught in entry-level dental hygiene programs. Findings confirmed that the DHDx is an integral component of dental hygiene education, but there is a need for standardization and faculty calibration for DHDx concepts and terminology. These results support adding DHDx into the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards.
- dental hygiene diagnosis
- dental hygiene education
- dental hygiene process of care
- accreditation standards
Footnotes
JoAnn R. Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, is a professor and graduate program director, Department of Dental Hygiene, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID.
Tammy R. Sanderson, RDH, MSDH, is the director for dental hygiene, Columbia Basin College, Pasco, WA.
Kandis Garland, RDH, MS, is an associate professor, Department of Dental Hygiene, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID.
Darlene Swigart, RDH, MS, is an instructor in the Department of Dental Hygiene, Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, OR.
This manuscript supports the NDHRA priority area, Professional development: Education (evaluation).
- Received January 11, 2018.
- Accepted May 24, 2018.
- Copyright © 2018 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association