Exploration of the Scholarship of Doctoral Prepared Dental Hygienists

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the scholarship of doctoral prepared dental hygienists as it relates to advancing the dental hygiene discipline.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive research design was used to determine patterns regarding dental hygienists’ experiences with their doctoral education and resulting scholarly activities. Purposive and network sampling were used to identify potential participants. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Data generated from the interviews were analyzed simultaneously with data collection. Open coding and axial coding were used to analyze data in a continuous comparative method to determine themes. Validity was insured through triangulation, member checks, and respondent validation.

Results: Ten participants were interviewed, and data analysis revealed several themes for each research question. Themes that influenced the decision to enroll in the program included personal, professional, influencers, and situational. Experiences the PhD program provided were scholarship socialization, program requirements, and PhD program faculty. Relative to career advancement, themes included credibility and career opportunities. Scholarship activities contributing to the dental hygiene discipline revealed two themes: scholarly activities and dental hygiene is an evolving discipline.

Conclusions: Although each participant’s journey to a doctoral degree was unique, there were similar themes for motivation to obtain this advanced degree in addition to the preparation for engagement in scholarly activities and career advancement. While many participants had not pursued building theoretical or conceptual models, most agreed on their importance and the concept that dental hygiene is a developing discipline.