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Research ArticleInnovations in Dental Hygiene Education

Implementing Environmental Sustainability Educational Intervention in Dental Hygiene Instruction

Wai-Sum Leung, Laura Dubbs, Tiffanie White and Elizabeth C. Kornegay
American Dental Hygienists' Association August 2022, 96 (4) 57-64;
Wai-Sum Leung
1Chapel Hill Master of Science in Dental Hygiene program and a patient care coordinator at the Adams School of Dentistry
Roles: 2021 Graduate of the University of North Carolina
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Laura Dubbs
2Institute for the Environment and the Associate Director of the North Carolina Ocean Energy Program and the Coastal Studies Institute
Roles: Research Associate Professor
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Tiffanie White
3Adams School of Dentistry, Division of Comprehensive Oral Health
Roles: Assistant Professor in the Dental Hygiene Programs
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Elizabeth C. Kornegay
4Adams School of Dentistry, Division of Comprehensive Oral Health; all at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Roles: Assistant Professor in the Dental Hygiene Programs
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Abstract

Purpose: The planet faces a climate crisis threatening public health. Dentistry contributes to a large portion of the waste output in the United States. The purpose of this study was to assess dental hygiene (DH) students’ perceptions and knowledge on environmentally sustainable dentistry (ESD) prior to and following an educational intervention.

Methods: A convenience sample of second-year DH students (n=34) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) was recruited for this pilot study consisting of a pre-survey, an online educational module and immediate post-survey, and a final assignment followed by another post-survey. The educational module followed a funnel approach to educate learners on the topic of sustainability before narrowing down to how sustainability can be applied to dentistry. Paired t-tests compared pre- and post-module survey scores on changes in knowledge and attitudes. Univariate and qualitative analyses were conducted on the post-assignment component.

Results: Twenty-five participants had qualifying responses for the pre- and post-module survey (71.4% response rate); 22 participants completed the post-assignment survey (62.7% response rate). There was a statistically significant increase from pre- to post-module knowledge scores (p < 0.0005). Most respondents (>90%) indicated that the follow-up assignment strengthened their learning experience. Qualitative analysis revealed that the assignment helped participants apply module concepts in the real world and adopt less wasteful behaviors in clinic.

Conclusion: Instructional interventions on ESD in DH education may improve students’ knowledge of environmentally sustainable habits and encourage behavioral changes. Study findings can help introduce an environmental sustainability component to the DH educational curriculum.

  • dental hygiene education
  • environmental sustainability
  • environmentally sustainable dentistry
  • climate change
  • Received April 11, 2021.
  • Accepted January 26, 2022.
  • Copyright © 2022 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association
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American Dental Hygienists' Association: 96 (4)
American Dental Hygienists' Association
Vol. 96, Issue 4
August 2022
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Implementing Environmental Sustainability Educational Intervention in Dental Hygiene Instruction
Wai-Sum Leung, Laura Dubbs, Tiffanie White, Elizabeth C. Kornegay
American Dental Hygienists' Association Aug 2022, 96 (4) 57-64;

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Implementing Environmental Sustainability Educational Intervention in Dental Hygiene Instruction
Wai-Sum Leung, Laura Dubbs, Tiffanie White, Elizabeth C. Kornegay
American Dental Hygienists' Association Aug 2022, 96 (4) 57-64;
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Keywords

  • dental hygiene education
  • environmental sustainability
  • environmentally sustainable dentistry
  • climate change

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