Journal of dental hygiene : JDH / American Dental Hygienists'' Association最新文献

Purpose The scope of practice for dental hygienists continues to expand into diverse roles in clinical practice, education, administration, corporate environments, and public health, underscoring the need for robust leadership training. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of leadership education among dental hygienists in administrative roles; describe the leadership skills identified by dentists; and examine the views of dental hygiene faculty on leadership education and skills within the dental hygiene curriculum.Methods Qualitative research methodology was used with semi-structured interviews conducted on an online platform. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit participants across the three stakeholder groups: dental hygienists in administrative roles, dentists, and dental hygiene faculty from baccalaureate programs. Recruitment in each phase continued until thematic saturation was reached. Open, axial and selective coding were used to analyze the data.Results Four main themes emerged: Building Bridges, Collective Growth, Embracing Responsibilities, and Overcoming Obstacles, through the interview sessions with dental hygienists in administrative roles (n=11), dentists in private practice (n=6), and dental hygiene faculty members (n=19).Conclusion This research underscores the strategic value of integrating leadership education into dental hygiene curricula, laying a strong foundation for students' future roles as leaders in health care. Recommendations include thoroughly reevaluating current curricula, adopting a strategic approach to embed leadership education, and creating a leadership training framework for dental hygiene education programs.

Purpose Microaggressions are described as brief routine verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities that convey hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes and may be intentional or unintentional. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe how dental hygienists who identified as members of racial/ethnic minority groups experience microaggressions in dental workplace settings.Methods A qualitative phenomenological research design was used with a purposive sample of 14 dental hygienists who identified as racial or ethnic minorities recruited via social media and snowball sampling. Data was collected through virtual focus groups with the use of deductive analysis based on the sub-scales of the Racial and Ethnic Microaggression Scale to identify themes followed by inductive analysis.Results Five themes emerged from the focus groups that included assumptions of inferiority, workplace microaggression, emotional response, second class citizen, and microinvalidation Participants reported instances of being considered less competent or less well educated by employers and/or patients because of their race or ethnicity. Workplace microaggressions ranged from lack of promotion to being fired. Participants expressed a range of emotions from being angry to being ambivalent in response to the microaggression.Conclusion Dental hygienists who identify as racial or ethnic minorities frequently experience microaggressions in the clinical work setting. Most participants reported being considered inferior due to their race or ethnicity along with a variety of workplace microaggressions. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate microaggressions with ongoing education about recognition and response to microaggression to ensure an inclusive and welcoming work environment. It is critical to address microaggression to recruit and retain a diverse workforce.

Purpose Health care professionals are often faced with stressful situations, demanding physical work, and unique pressures impacting patient care and personal health and wellness. The purpose of this study was to assess perceived levels of self-compassion and their relationship with professional quality of life in clinical dental hygienists.Methods A cross-sectional survey of clinical dental hygienists (n=345) was conducted using a non-probability sample recruited via social media. Data collection used two validated instruments: Professional Quality of Life-21 with 2 sub-scales (compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue) and Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) with 6 sub-scales (self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness, over-identification). Descriptive statistics, correlations, and regression modeling were used for data analysis.Results The completion rate was 48.4% (n=167). The SCS total mean score (M=2.85), compassion satisfaction (CS; 37.86) and compassion fatigue (CF; 25.62) mean scores were all in the moderate range. Regression models included SCS sub-scales and demographics with statistically significant correlations to CS and CF. In the regression model for CS, the SCS sub-scales of self-kindness (β=2.10, t(.225) = 2.078, p=.039) and mindfulness (β=2.50, t(.250) = 2.312, p=.022) emerged as predictors. The model explained 18.9% of variance in CS (R² = .199, adjusted R² = .189, F(2,164) = 20.35, p<.001). In the regression model for CF, the SCS sub-scales self-judgment (β=-.33, t(162)=-3.53, p<.001) and isolation (β=-.215, t(162) = -2.282, p=.024) along with the average number of hours worked per week providing patient care (β=.147, t(162) = 2.217, p=.028) were predictors. The model explained 28.4% of the variance in CF (R²=.297, adjusted R²=.284, F(3,162)=22.84, p<.001).Conclusion Dental hygienists self-reported moderate self-compassion, CS and CF. Improvement in self-compassion and CS may prevent CF which reduces the risk of burnout. Strategies might include personal (e.g., positive self-talk and self-care) and workplace (e.g., employee wellness resources) approaches.

Purpose Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multifactorial disease/syndrome with epigenetic components and reduced quality of life. Sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) and COPD have been linked in studies with limited sample sizes or outside the United States(US). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the association remains in a large and representative sample of the US.Methods Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2020, on adults >18 years (n=11,090) were utilized for this study. The dependent variable was COPD (yes, no) and the primary variable of interest was percent of daily sugar caloric intake from SSB reported on 24-hour dietary recall (<10%, ≥10%). Weighted bivariate analyses and logistic regression analyses were conducted, controlling for the complex sample design and potential confounders.Results Overall, 8.6% of individuals reported COPD; 44.1% reported drinking SSBs. The percent of daily overall caloric intake from SSB was significantly associated with COPD in the multivariable logistic regression analysis (adjusted odds ratio=1.39 [95%CI:1.13, 1.72] p= 0.0027). Other factors associated with COPD were female sex, older age, poverty level, no insurance, current smoking, higher BMI, and race/ethnicity other than non-Hispanic white.Conclusion In this nationally representative study, higher caloric intake from SSBs was significantly associated with COPD. Awareness of this relationship can aid in decision making when identifying priorities for nutritional counseling in the dental hygiene care plan. Communication of this information has the potential to benefit patients' oral health, as well as their overall health and wellness.

Purpose The neck and all areas of the upper extremity (shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand) are at elevated risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder in the dental hygiene population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of adding a corrective exercise regimen on levels of self-rated pain, disability and self-efficacy for dental hygiene students and explore outcomes from implementing an interdisciplinary ergonomic training program over a 20-month period.Methods Students from two consecutive graduating cohorts of a dental hygiene studies education program served as the control group with the subsequent two cohorts serving as the experimental group. The control group received the standardized ergonomic instruction as taught as part of the dental hygiene curriculum. The experimental group received the standardized ergonomic instruction with the addition of the Core Four movement routine performed after each clinic session. All participants completed a novel survey at the end of their academic training utilizing the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index and QuickDASH to evaluate levels of pain, neck disability, upper extremity dysfunction and self-efficacy.Results There were significant differences in reported self-efficacy levels between the control group and experimental group. However, there were no significant between group differences based on the outcomes of the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index and QuickDASH measures.Conclusion Including the Core Four movements as part of the ergonomic curriculum may enhance perceived levels of self-efficacy among dental hygiene students. The utility of the Core Four routine for dental hygiene students should be investigated further using randomization, baseline assessment and collection of symptoms related to the lumbar region.

Purpose Practice and evaluation of clinical skills in health professions education are essential for developing competent clinicians. Simulation education has emerged as a strategic intervention to achieve this outcome. The purpose of this study was to explore dental hygiene program directors' knowledge and perceptions of standardized patients (SPs) and investigate current utilization of SPs in dental hygiene curricula across the United States (US).Methods A cross-sectional, descriptive study was designed to survey dental hygiene program directors from the accredited dental hygiene programs in the US (n=334). A 22-item online survey was designed and included items on demographics, knowledge of SPs, current use of SPs, willingness to integrate SPs, perceived benefits and clinical skills impact, attitudes toward SPs as a curricular component, and perceived barriers to implementation. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics; qualitative open-ended responses underwent thematic analysis via manual coding.Results Ninety-four responses were received for a 28% response rate. Of the respondents, nearly half were unfamiliar with SPs in dental hygiene education (48%, n=41), and only 21% (n=18) integrated SPs into the curriculum. Most (83%, n=44) indicated willingness to collaborate with other health care educators to integrate SPs. Key perceived benefits identified were improving communication and patient interaction skills, assessing student clinical competence effectively, and providing realistic patient scenarios for practice. Barriers to SP integration included a lack of funding (56%, n=40), lack of actors for SP training (51%, n=36), and curriculum overload (51%, n=36).Conclusion Program directors acknowledged that SPs could enhance clinical skills but unfamiliarity and barriers to integration may hinder adoption. These findings present an opportunity to share resources through interprofessional collaboration to support SP integration in dental hygiene programs. Future research should examine dental hygiene students' perspectives on SP effectiveness compared to traditional methods and investigate best practices from dental hygiene programs that successfully integrate SPs.

Purpose The integration of interprofessional education within dental hygiene curricula as required by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards states that graduates must be prepared to function effectively within collaborative, team-based healthcare environments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dental hygiene students' perceptions of an interprofessional hospital rotation, focusing on its perceived value, sense of interprofessional belonging, and acquired knowledge.Methods A cross-sectional study design was used to assess student perceptions following participation in an interprofessional hospital rotation. The survey instrument consisted of 16 items, including demographic, Likert-scale items and open-ended questions. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the open-ended responses were organized thematically to identify key insights regarding the rotation's impact.Results Students overwhelmingly reported that the rotation was a valuable experience for both themselves (100%) and patients (100%). A strong sense of belonging was observed, with 93.8% of students feeling they were an integral part of the healthcare team and 81.3% believing their contributions were valued by other providers. Additionally, 100% reported increased awareness of the oral health needs of hospitalized patients, while 81.3% indicated greater understanding of how medical conditions influence oral health. Analysis of the open-ended responses revealed three major themes: recognition of the importance of oral care in hospitalized patients, a desire for improved communication and rotation structure, and overall positive and rewarding experiences.Conclusion Interprofessional hospital rotations provide significant educational value for dental hygiene students by enhancing their knowledge, fostering a sense of belonging, and increased confidence in providing patient care. These findings support the integration of hospital-based interprofessional experiences into dental hygiene curricula, aligning with CODA standards and preparing students to succeed within collaborative, team-based healthcare environments.