Dental Hygiene Curriculum Research Articles

치위생(학)교육과정에서의 인문사회학 교과목 탐색

Objectives : A study was designed to evaluate the classes of humanities and social sciences in the dental hygiene curriculum. Methods : Data were collected through online received from 69 dental hygiene institutions from May to August, 2011. Categorized are introduction to dental hygiene, dental hygiene management of dental clinic, medical health law, and ethics, patient psychology, others(communication, behavioral science, administration). The data were analyzed by a descriptive analyses and <TEX>$x^2$</TEX>-test. Results : As a result of evaluate the classes of humanities and social sciences in the dental hygiene education, 51.4% of a newly-established in between 2000 and 2006 found 2~3 courses. Credits of 4~7 was 82.4% that was found by 2~3 courses. Numbers of courses showed no differences by educational system. In college, 77.8% was in introduction to dental hygiene, dental hygiene management of dental clinic, medical health law. In university, 70.1% was in introduction to dental hygiene, dental hygiene management of dental clinic, medical health law. Ethics and patient psychology was respectively 10.8% in less than 2000, was respectively 4.7% in between 2000 and 2006, was respectively 12.5%, 3.8%. 45.5% that found ethics was in more than 2007. In college, ethics was found in the 1th~2nd(61.5%). In university, ethics was found in the 3rd~4th(85.7%). Conclusions : It should increase the number of courses of humanities and social sciences. Also, It should activate the education a dental hygienist as a professional in the future.

Program Design Considerations for Leadership Training for Dental and Dental Hygiene Students

Since leadership is an essential part of the oral health professions, oral health educators can play an essential role in establishing a culture of leadership and in mentoring students to prepare them for future leadership roles within the profession. However, leadership training for oral health professionals is a relatively new concept and is frequently not found within dental and dental hygiene curricula. The purpose of this article is to propose several models for leadership training that are specific to the oral health professions. The authors hope that providing an overview of leadership programs in academic dental institutions will encourage all U.S. and Canadian dental schools to begin developing a culture that promotes leadership development.

치위생(학)과 학생의 치과위생사 양성 교육과정에 관한 인식

본 연구는 치위생(학)과 학생들의 치과위생사 양성 교육과정 요소에 관한 인식을 조사하기 위해 2009년 4월부터 6월까지 치위생(학)과에 재학 중인 학생 934명을 대상으로 진행되었으며, PASW Statistics 18.0 프로그램을 이용하여 분석한 결과는 다음과 같다. 교육목표, 교육내용 선정, 평가에 있어 중부권이 가장 높게 수도권이 가장 낮게 나타났으며, 전문학사 학위과정이 학사학위 과정보다 높게 나타났다. 교육내용 조직은 중부권이 가장 높게 호남권이 가장 낮게 나타났으며, 학사학위 과정이 전문학사 학위과정보다 약간 높게 나타났다. 요소별로 살펴보면, 교육목표 요소는 직업교육, 도덕적 윤리적 요소에서 높게, 창의적 측면에서 낮게 나타났다. 교육내용선정 요소는 학습가능성에서 높게 내용의 타당성과 관련성에서 낮게 나타났다. 교육내용조직 요소는 계속성, 계열성, 통합성 순으로 나타났으며, 교육평가 요소는 학교평가 준거에서 높게, 국가시험 방법에서 가장 낮게 나타났다. The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness of dental hygiene students on the components of the dental hygiene curriculum. The subjects in this study were 934 dental hygiene students, on whom a survey was conducted in April and Jun, 2009. The collected data were analyzed by the statistical package PASW 18.0. The findings of the study were as follows: The students from the midsection of the nation put the highest value on educational objectives, selection of what to teach and evaluation, and the students from the metropolitan area set the lowest value on those components. The students who took junior college courses took a better view of those components than those who took college courses. In terms of the organization of what to teach, the students from the midsection of the nation rated it highest, and the students from the Honam area rated it lowest. And those who took college courses took a little better view of it than the students who took junior college courses. Among the components of the curriculum, the educational objective factor was rated higher in terms of vocational education, morality and ethics, and that was rated lower in terms of creativity. The selection of what to teach was rated higher in terms of learning possibility and was rated lower in terms of content validity and relevance. The organization of what to teach was rated highest in terms of continuity, followed by sequence and integration. The educational evaluation factor was rated higher in the area of school evaluation and was rated lowest in the area of national examinations.

Improving oral health in Pakistan using dental hygienists

This paper reviews the healthcare system, available dental care, and oral health status of people in Pakistan. Considering the enormous unmet oral health needs, the insufficient supply of dental professionals and the current unstructured dental hygiene curriculum in Pakistan, a mission, vision, and goals for professional dental hygiene in Pakistan is recommended. The authors offer recommendations for competency-based dental hygiene education and practice, professional credentialing, a practice act, and a dental hygiene scope of practice to promote the health, welfare, and quality of life of the Pakistani people. Specifically, the authors recommend increasing the number of quality dental hygiene programs, establishing the dental hygienist as a primary care provider of oral health services, enhancing current dental hygiene curriculum, and establishing a dental hygiene council with responsibility for educational requirements and regulation of dental hygienists in Pakistan.

ATTITUDE OF DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENTS TOWARD THE DISABLED

The purpose of this study was to examine the general attitude of dental hygiene students toward the disabled and their oral care in an effort to improve their awareness of the disabled and their accessibility to them and suggest some of the right directions for dental hygiene education related to dental treatment for the disabled. The subjects in this study were dental hygiene students at three different colleges located in South Jeolla Province. The general attitude of the selected students toward the disabled and their oral care were investigated from November 1 to December 20, 2007. The findings of the study were as follows: When their general attitude toward disabled people was checked, they agreed the most that there was nothing that the disabled lagged behind nondisabled people. Those who felt the need for that took a more positive attitude in eight items, and the differences between them and the others were significant. Whether they were cognizant of the necessity of dental treatment education for the disabled made the most significant differences to each variable of their attitude toward the oral care of disabled people, and those who were aware of the necessity showed a more positive attitude in five items. The differences between them and the others were significant. The findings of the study illustrated that the dental hygiene students took a relatively favorable attitude toward disabled people's oral health care, and that they hardly felt a sense of distance to them. So it can be predicted that they will get to take the right attitude to them in the future. Yet the dental hygiene curriculum should give more weight to dental treatment education for the disabled and offer more relevant information, since they didn't get high scores on positive attitude.

Dental Professionals’ Knowledge and Perceived Need for Education in Bioterrorism Preparedness

Dental professionals should be well prepared to provide care during bioterrorist events. In this study, we assessed the knowledge, opinions about playing various roles during a bioterrorist event, and perceived need for education of dental professionals (dentists and dental hygienists) from one region (Oregon) that had been exposed to bioterrorism and from another region (New England) not exposed. This cross-sectional study used an eighteen-item pretested, self-administered questionnaire distributed at the 2005 Oregon Dental Conference (n=156) and 2005 Yankee Dental Conference (n=297). Dental professionals' knowledge and perceived need for education on bioterrorist preparedness were quantified by multivariate linear and logistic modeling. More than 90 percent of the dental professionals were willing to provide care during bioterrorist events. Perceived knowledge was high; however, actual knowledge was low. Dental professionals who wanted to attend a continuing education course and who thought dental professionals should play more roles during a bioterrorist attack had higher actual knowledge. Willingness to provide care was not supported by adequate knowledge. No significant differences between New England and Oregon dental professionals were observed in terms of actual knowledge or perceived need for bioterrorism education. Integrating training and education into the predoctoral dental and dental hygiene curricula and developing continuing education courses would improve knowledge and better prepare dental professionals to effectively perform American Dental Association-recommended roles during any future bioterrorism events.

An Analysis of the Decision-Making Process in the Dept. of Dental Hygiene Curriculum

An Analysis of the Decision-Making Process in the Dept. of Dental Hygiene Curriculum

Evaluation of a Comprehensive Tobacco Cessation Curriculum for Dental Hygiene Programs

Dental health care providers continue to offer inconsistent and limited tobacco use cessation (TUC) interventions even though smoking-related morbidity and mortality continue to be a substantial health concern. Our purpose was to conduct a comprehensive, three-year (2003-06) TUC curriculum evaluation that included assessment of existing TUC education offered; dental hygiene educators' readiness to incorporate TUC education into the curriculum; and development of a pre-test/post-test assessment instrument and faculty development program. This curriculum study was carried out alongside a research study to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-reviewed tobacco curriculum (Tobacco Free! Curriculum). Faculty members (baseline n=97; third-year n=42) from the twelve dental hygiene associate degree programs in Illinois participated in the study, which included a pre-treatment survey, six hours of on-site TUC curriculum training, and a post-treatment survey to determine the attitudes, perceived barriers, and current practices in tobacco education. Results showed an average increase of eighty-five minutes spent on tobacco education in the dental hygiene curriculum, a large positive increase in the percentage of faculty members who formally assessed the use of 5As and 5Rs (21 percent to 88 percent), and a dramatic increase (+100) in the percentage of faculty members who taught or included most of the thirteen TUC content areas following the introduction of the curriculum and training program.

Dental hygiene students’ part‐time jobs in dental practices in the Netherlands

Many students have paid employment while studying. In the Netherlands, the Individual Health Care Professions Act (IHCP Act) allows dental hygiene students to work under certain conditions in a dental practice. The aim of the study was to determine how many dental hygiene students have part-time job employment in dental practice and which professional tasks they carry out. We also asked the dental hygiene students their opinion of the IHCP Act. All the enrolled dental hygiene students (n = 341) at a School of Health in the Netherlands received a questionnaire by email. The response was 52% (176 students). Of the responding students, 75% had paid employment in addition to their study. A proportion of the students (35%) worked in a dental practice. The median number of hours worked per week was eight. Study year, age and prior education were positively related to working part-time in dental practice. Activities frequently performed were giving oral hygiene instruction, fluoride applications, scaling and root planning, providing chair side assistance and giving local anaesthesia. Although the self-reported knowledge about the IHCP Act was high, almost half of the students expressed the need for more detailed legal information. Many dental hygiene students work in a dental practice, taking over a number of tasks usually performed by the dentist. More information in the dental hygiene curriculum about the requirements of the IHCP Act seems desirable.

Evaluation of Outcomes for Tobacco Cessation Counseling in the Dalhousie University Dental Hygiene Curriculum

As part of their curriculum, senior dental hygiene students at Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry provide tobacco cessation counseling (TCC). This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the TCC didactic curriculum and its clinical extensions. Research methods included a comprehensive literature search, an assessment of available resources related to TCC, and a structured telephone interview. The interview, consisting of ten summative questions, was conducted to determine the current tobacco use status of clients who had been counseled by a dental hygiene student for tobacco cessation. A target population of 132 subjects was extracted from axiUm, Dalhousie University dental clinic's patient database. The population represented clients who had TCC from 2001 to 2008. The investigators wanted to know if the client was 1) advised to quit tobacco use; 2) informed of the health risks of using tobacco; 3) still using tobacco; 4) taught self-examination techniques for oral cancer; and 5) if any post-counseling follow-up was initiated. A convenience size of fifty-one subjects was obtained. Survey results, along with the assessment of resources, revealed that the current TCC program needed improvement. As a result of the research, changes were implemented aimed at improving the effectiveness of the TCC program, and recommendations were made for further changes to enhance the overall program effectiveness.

North Carolina Dental Hygiene Students’ Opinions About Tobacco Cessation Education and Practices in Their Programs

Inadequate training in tobacco cessation counseling (TCC) is a recognized, but mutable, barrier to implementation of tobacco cessation education (TCE) and intervention strategies in dental practice. The objective of this study was to identify the opinions and practices of senior dental hygiene (DH) students in North Carolina regarding their didactic training in TCE and integration of TCE into their clinical curricula. A pilot-tested questionnaire designed by the authors was administered to a cross-sectional, non-random convenience sample of 241 graduating senior DH students enrolled in all twelve North Carolina DH educational programs. Response rate was 65 percent (n=156). Of the respondents, 99 percent agreed that hygienists should be trained to provide TCE. Nearly all respondents (99 percent) had one or more patients who smoked, and 81 percent had one or more patients who used spit tobacco. Eighty-nine percent had one or more patients who had expressed a desire to quit. Most students were comfortable providing TCC to both smokers (92 percent) and spit tobacco users (93 percent); however, 26 percent reported that they were not comfortable providing quit messages to patients unwilling to quit. Enhancements to TCE in DH curricula may increase hygienists' incorporation of TCE into their future practice.

The Development and Implementation of an Online Applied Biochemistry Bridge Course for a Dental Hygiene Curriculum

This article describes a curricular change project designed to improve instruction in biochemistry. After years of unsatisfactory outcomes from a dental hygiene biochemistry course, a decision was made to change the traditional lecture-based course to an online format. Using online technology and principles of educational pedagogy, a course was developed that fosters application of biomaterials principles to dental hygiene practice and provides a bridge between prerequisite chemistry coursework and biochemistry in a health professions program. Members of the dental hygiene graduating Classes of 2007 and 2008 participated in the revised course. The outcome measures used to assess the effectiveness of the revised course were student end-of-semester course evaluations, graduating senior survey results, student course performance, and National Board examination performance. While the results are based on only two classes, the positive outcomes suggest that the revision was a worthwhile endeavor. The use of technology in teaching holds the potential for solving many of the curriculum and instruction issues currently under discussion: overcrowding of the curriculum, lack of active learning methods, and basic sciences taught in isolation from the rest of the curriculum. It is hoped that the results of this change will be helpful to other faculty members seeking curricular change and innovation.

Development of an International Collaborative Dental Hygiene Programme between Japan and Canada

This paper reports the development of an international dental hygiene educational programme between Japan and Canada, and the evaluation of its outcomes. In 2004, a unique collaborative programme with Canadian dental hygiene schools was introduced as part of a 3-year dental hygiene curriculum. This international programme mainly consists of three parts: a spring (full Japanese faculty and student exchange to Canada), fall (select Japanese faculty and student exchange to Canada for focused professional development) and summer (select Canadian student exchange to Japan) component. The spring component provides an opportunity for all Japanese students to visit the Canadian dental hygiene schools at the end of their second year. Students and faculty members share information about their programmes and culture through instructional presentations, chair-side hands-on clinical simulations, and table clinic presentations. For the fall component, selected Japanese students and faculty re-visit the Canadian school for more extensive learning and exchange with Canadian students. Workshops are held for faculty on educational and research topics. For the summer component, selected second year Canadian students visit Japan. The Japanese students' basic knowledge of Canada and Canadian dental hygiene showed statistically significant improvement (P < 0.001) as assessed by pre- and post-tests. Other programme evaluations including faculty and students' surveys have so far identified positive outcomes in learning and research. The programme has offered opportunities for faculty professional development and joint research projects. In conclusion, the findings reported here demonstrate that incorporation of the international collaborative programme can be a significant addition to dental hygiene education.

Dental Hygiene Education About Patients with Special Needs: A Survey of U.S. Programs

The objective of this study was to explore how dental hygiene programs in the United States educate their students about treating patients with special needs. Data were collected from 102 U.S. dental hygiene programs (response rate=49 percent) with a web-based survey. Nearly all programs (98 percent) reported that they present this material in lectures. However, only 42 percent of the programs required students to gain clinical experiences with patients with special needs. Most programs covered the treatment of patients with physical/sensory impairments such as hearing impairments (93.1 percent), psychopathologies (89.2 percent), and adult onset neurological disorders (89.2 percent). Outcome assessments were usually done in a written exam (97.1 percent), while objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) (9.8 percent) and standardized patient experiences (4.9 percent) were less frequently used. Respondents identified "curriculum overload" as the biggest challenge to addressing special patient needs. Nevertheless, 29.4 percent of the respondents indicated that they support an increase in clinical experiences for students to give them increased opportunities to work with patients with special needs. Recent changes in accreditation standards require graduating dental hygiene students to be competent in assessing the treatment needs of special needs patients. Based on the program directors' responses, recommendations can be made to increase the opportunities for students to have clinical experiences with patients with special needs and to address the needs of patients with special needs more comprehensively in dental hygiene curricula.

Mindfulness and Professionalism in Dentistry

To improve the effectiveness of teaching professionalism, the authors propose introducing mindfulness practice into the dental curriculum. The qualities cultivated through mindfulness meditation practice closely resemble the global attitudes of professionalism. Professionalism and mindfulness are broad overlapping constructs with a common prosocial aim: letting go of selfish, short-sighted rewards and promoting the long-term common good. Both constructs also aim for the highest quality of life for practitioners and patients alike. Based on a selective review of the medical literature, we suggest that mindfulness practice should help improve attentiveness, self-awareness, acceptance, wisdom, and self-care in dentistry. We briefly review the role of mindfulness in higher education, as well as current attempts at Dalhousie University to integrate mindfulness into the dental and dental hygiene curricula.

Application of the Dental Hygiene Human Needs Conceptual Model and the Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life Model to the dental hygiene curriculum in Japan

This paper reports the incorporation of the Dental Hygiene Human Needs Conceptual Model (DHHN) and the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Model (OHRQL) into a dental hygiene curriculum in Japan. A simulated patient practice was offered to 67 dental hygiene students. In the practice activity, all students were introduced to the use of an OHRQL assessment tool. A DHHN assessment tool was utilized additionally only by the experimental student group. The statistical analysis of the post-practice survey showed that the OHRQL instrument was more helpful in assessment and problem identification than the DHHN instrument. By contrast, text-based analysis of dental hygiene diagnostic statements showed that the experimental group identified more domains of patients' human needs deficits than the control group. This suggested the possibility that the DHHN model helped them to see patients from broader perspectives. However, it was difficult for students to design care plans attending to the domains of the models. Also, in considerations to the cultural issues, the validity and equivalence of the Japanese versions of both models should be further investigated. Within the limitation of the present study, the results suggested that incorporation of the combination of the DHHN and OHRQL models can be useful in a dental hygiene curriculum, as each tool helps students expand the perspective from which they view client. Further improvements in learning strategies should facilitate the effective utilization of these models.

Dental hygiene residential care in a 3‐year dental hygiene education programme in Japan: towards dysphagia management based on the dental hygiene process of care

This paper reports an evaluation of a residential care practice, which was part of a 'Dysphagia Management' course introduced into a 3-year dental hygiene curriculum in Japan. The clinical practice was performed at a care facility for the elderly people. Dental hygiene interventions, which consisted mainly of professional oral care, were implemented on a client who was bed-bound after suffering from a stroke. As the client had severe tension in muscles around oral cavity, it was difficult for the facility care workers to provide daily oral hygiene care. The goals of the dental hygiene care plan included decreasing tension of oral muscles and reducing periodontal inflammation and halitosis. The dental hygiene interventions were given once a month for 5 months. Evaluation in the fifth month demonstrated relaxation of oral muscles, decrease in plaque accumulation, and improvements in levels of gingival inflammation, indicating the partial achievements of the initial goals. Possibilities for revision of the care plan could call for more active involvement of the facility care workers and client-centered goal setting. This learning experience provided an opportunity for continuing intervention and evaluation of dental hygiene care for the same client. The positive results of our limited interventions further confirmed the importance of professional oral care in organic and functional improvements in oral health for the elderly people.

Eating Disorders in the Oral Health Curriculum

Due to the oral/systemic nature of eating disorders, this serious health issue requires comprehensive patient assessment and coordinated health treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the breadth and depth of eating disorder and comprehensive care within the dental and dental hygiene curriculum. Survey data were collected from deans of U.S. dental programs (n=24) and dental hygiene program directors (n=94). Statistically significant differences were observed between dental programs (DP) and dental hygiene programs (DHP) as more DHP reported including anorexia nervosa (p<.001), bulimia nervosa (p<.001), and oral manifestations of eating disorders (p=.003) within their curricula. Clock hours dedicated to these topics ranged from seventeen to thirty-five minutes, with no statistically significant differences observed between DP and DHP. Only 58 percent of DP and 56 percent of DHP included patient communication skills specific to eating disorders. Moreover, DHP were observed dedicating more instruction time for this skill (p=.011). As greater emphasis is placed on oral/systemic health and the provision of comprehensive care, many oral health professionals may not be adequately trained to identify, provide education, and communicate with patients regarding the oral/systemic nature of eating disorders. The findings from this study indicate that there is a need for appropriate training to better prepare oral health professionals for comprehensive patient care.

Transcultural Barriers and Cultural Competence in Dental Hygiene Practice

The aim of this paper is to highlight the need to integrate cultural care into dental hygiene practice. Culture can be better understood through the concepts, beliefs, and norms of the culturally diverse population of the United States. It is important to understand cultural perceptions of oral health in order to manage transcultural barriers that may arise during the utilization of oral healthcare services. It is assumed cultural competence can only be achieved through the knowledge of various cultural backgrounds in an extremely diverse US population. There is a need to integrate cultural awareness, knowledge, identification, and respect into the dental hygiene curriculum through the incorporation of competencies and standards associated with dental hygiene practice. Future dental hygienists should be culturally competent to render oral care to an ever expanding and diversified US population.

North Carolina Dental Hygienists' Oral Cancer Knowledge and Opinions: Implications for Education

Appropriately trained dental hygienists can participate in oral cancer (OC) control. We assessed knowledge of risk factors, diagnostic procedures, and opinions regarding OC education among 651 dental hygienists practicing in North Carolina using a mail survey. We constructed regression models of factors influencing high knowledge levels. Most correctly identified tobacco and alcohol use as OC risk factors, and 52% felt their knowledge of OC was current; however, we identified gaps. Diagnostic knowledge was highest for those who were recent graduates or received continuing education in the last 5 years; 96% were interested in future continuing education. Increased OC education content in dental hygiene curricula and training programs for practicing hygienists is needed to enhance early detection of OC.