@article {Gurenlian18, author = {JoAnn R. Gurenlian and Tammy R. Sanderson and Kandis Garland and Darlene Swigart}, title = {Exploring the Integration of the Dental Hygiene Diagnosis in Entry-Level Dental Hygiene Curricula}, volume = {92}, number = {4}, pages = {18--26}, year = {2018}, publisher = {American Dental Hygienists{\textquoteright} Association}, 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{\textquoteright} Association. Data was collected using the Qualtrics{\textregistered} 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 {\textquotedblleft}always{\textquotedblright} 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{\textquoteright}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.}, issn = {1553-0205}, URL = {https://jdh.adha.org/content/92/4/18}, eprint = {https://jdh.adha.org/content/92/4/18.full.pdf}, journal = {American Dental Hygienists{\textquoteright} Association} }