RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Forsyth Experiment in Training of Advanced Skills Hygienists
JF American Dental Hygienists Association
JO J Dent Hyg
FD American Dental Hygienists Association
SP 63
OP 66
VO 87
IS suppl 1
A1 Ralph R. Lobene
A1 Kenneth Berman
A1 Lloyd B. Chaisson
A1 Helen A. Karelas
A1 Leonard F. Nolan
YR 2013
UL http://jdh.adha.org/content/87/suppl_1/63.abstract
AB A curriculum for teaching restorative procedures to dental hygienists has been developed. It was found that with the hygienist's knowledge of basic sciences only 12 weeks of additional didactic and preclinical training was needed for her to master cavity preparation and placement of filling materials which are in a plastic state at the time of insertion. During the 13 weeks of internship which followed completion of the preclinical training, the advanced skills hygienists performed high quality restorative work and achieved a reasonable level of productivity. After an additional 12 weeks of practice, the mean productivity was five surfaces per operative hour and approached the productivity of experienced staff dentists, six surfaces per working hour. The study demonstrated conclusively that the advanced skills hygienist is capable of providing high quality restorative dentistry while working under the direct and immediate supervision of the dentist. The cost of the additional training was calculated at $2,300. Projections were also made of productivity and income potential. It was concluded utilization of this type of auxiliaries may provide high quality dental care to more people while containing, if not in fact decreasing, the cost of restorative services.