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Research ArticleResearch

Dental Hygiene Students’ Knowledge, Understanding and Intended Use of Caries Preventive Regimens and Community Water Fluoridation

Alice M. Horowitz, Catherine Maybury, Sharon R. Clough, Min Qi Wang and Dushanka V. Kleinman
American Dental Hygienists' Association February 2024, 98 (1) 68-77;
Alice M. Horowitz
School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
RDH, MA, PhD
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Catherine Maybury
School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
PhD, MPH
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Sharon R. Clough
Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention, American Dental Association, Chicago, IL, USA
RDH, MS Ed
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Min Qi Wang
School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
PhD
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Dushanka V. Kleinman
School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
DDS, MScD
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Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine dental hygiene students’ perspectives regarding their knowledge and understanding about caries prevention strategies and their intention to use these regimens in clinical practice. Dental hygienists’ knowledge and understanding of caries prevention is critical because they are the primary providers of these regimens and the relevant education.

Methods This 2019 national cross-sectional online survey was designed by the University of Maryland (UMD), structured by the ADA staff for online administration, distributed and collected by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) to 9533 email addresses, and de-identified response data were analyzed by UMD. The survey included questions on three caries preventive regimens: fluoride varnish, dental sealants, and silver diamine fluoride (SDF), and items on community water fluoridation (CWF), respondent’s demographics and intent to use the regimens. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Significance was set at p<0.05.

Results Of the 235 surveys returned (response rate 2.5%) the majority were female, White and born in the United States. Over half were in associate degree programs; nearly a third were in baccalaureate programs. Respondents reported greater knowledge/understanding and intention to use fluoride varnish and dental sealants than SDF. Less than half (44.7%) reported knowledge/understanding of SDF and only 22.6% had a high level of confidence regarding applying it. Additionally, only 31.1% indicated they were extremely likely to use SDF upon graduation.

Conclusions To reduce the prevalence of caries, dental hygiene graduates must be well-versed with the latest science-based preventive procedures, including non-invasive caries prevention and control therapies. The results of this survey, albeit non representative of the general population of dental hygiene students, suggest a need for a more extensive review of the caries preventive regimen content, especially for silver diamine fluoride, of dental hygiene curricular programs.

Keywords
  • dental hygiene education
  • caries prevention
  • non-invasive caries preventive regimens
  • fluoride varnish
  • dental sealants
  • silver diamine fluoride
  • community water fluoridation
  • Received October 20, 2023.
  • Accepted December 29, 2023.
  • Copyright © 2024 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association
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American Dental Hygienists' Association: 98 (1)
American Dental Hygienists' Association
Vol. 98, Issue 1
February 2024
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Dental Hygiene Students’ Knowledge, Understanding and Intended Use of Caries Preventive Regimens and Community Water Fluoridation
Alice M. Horowitz, Catherine Maybury, Sharon R. Clough, Min Qi Wang, Dushanka V. Kleinman
American Dental Hygienists' Association Feb 2024, 98 (1) 68-77;

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Dental Hygiene Students’ Knowledge, Understanding and Intended Use of Caries Preventive Regimens and Community Water Fluoridation
Alice M. Horowitz, Catherine Maybury, Sharon R. Clough, Min Qi Wang, Dushanka V. Kleinman
American Dental Hygienists' Association Feb 2024, 98 (1) 68-77;
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Keywords

  • dental hygiene education
  • caries prevention
  • non-invasive caries preventive regimens
  • fluoride varnish
  • dental sealants
  • silver diamine fluoride
  • community water fluoridation

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