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

Purpose Medical-dental integration models in primary care settings offer opportunities to increase access to oral health care, particularly for vulnerable populations. The purpose of this study was to assess dental care utilization and measure patient interest in accessing integrated dental services within the primary care setting, among patients attending a primary care practice participating in MassHealth's Accountable Care Organization program.Methods Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from a safety-net health care system serving the greater Boston area. A 10-item survey was used to collect data on dental care utilization and measure interest in accessing integrated dental services at one primary care practice. Descriptive statistics, in addition to bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to characterize the sample and explore dental care utilization associations.Results A total of 149 individuals participated, with over half (52%) reporting dental care utilization in the past year. Participants with public insurance were less likely to have seen a dental provider compared to those with private insurance (OR=0.35, 95% CI [0.12, 0.99]). Most patients (77.2%) expressed interest in accessing both in-person appointments with dental hygienists and teledentistry appointments with dentists (63.8%). When asked to choose between the two services, integrated dental hygienist appointments emerged as the more popular option for a majority of respondents (83.9%) Interest in accessing teledentistry appointments was higher among non-English speakers (OR=2.76, 95% CI [1.19, 6.40]).Conclusion Patients with low dental care utilization showed high interest in accessing integrated dental services at a primary care practice that participates in MassHealth's Accountable Care Organization program, supporting moving forward with pilot initiatives to evaluate implementation strategies.

Artificial intelligence (AI) including generative AI, analytical AI, predictive AI, prescriptive AI, and hybrid AI, is rapidly evolving and continues to expand its influence across dental hygiene, transforming clinical care, education, research, public health, corporate operations, administration, and entrepreneurship. In clinical practice, AI is advancing diagnostic accuracy for radiographic interpretation, periodontal assessment, and early detection of oral pathology, while enhancing decision-making and personalized care planning. In education, AI enables adaptive learning, intelligent tutoring, predictive analytics, and generative content creation, enriching both didactic and clinical training. In research and public health, Artificial intelligence supports large-scale data analysis, disease surveillance, teledentistry, and targeted prevention strategies, with a growing emphasis on equity and inclusivity. Corporate and administrative applications include AI-driven product development, market analysis, workflow optimization, and performance management. Entrepreneurial uses span idea generation, content creation, branding, and market engagement. As AI capabilities advance, dental hygienists must balance innovation with ethical oversight, digital literacy, and equitable access. Ensuring AI is integrated through evidence-based practices, transparent decision-making, and patient-centered values will be essential to realizing its benefits while preserving the integrity of the profession.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate plaque and gingivitis reduction efficacy of an entry-tier oscillating-rotating (OR) electric toothbrush, used in two brushing modes (Daily Clean and Sensitive), as compared to a manual toothbrush.Methods This was a three-treatment, three-period crossover study, assessing plaque with the Rustogi Modification of the Navy Plaque Index after a single brushing and after one week of use. Additionally, in the first treatment period only, participants were assessed for gingivitis (Modified Gingival Index; MGI) and bleeding at baseline, week 1 and week 2 while using their assigned product for two weeks. All participants had baseline evidence of gingivitis and plaque.Results: Forty-two participants were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. The OR toothbrush, used in either mode compared with the manual toothbrush, produced statistically significantly greater reductions in the number of bleeding sites at week 1 and week 2 (p≤.001) and in MGI score at week two (p≤.001). By week 1, the bleeding site reduction with the OR toothbrush in either mode was at least twice as great as the manual toothbrush. The OR toothbrush used in Daily Clean mode also achieved statistically significantly greater MGI reduction at week 1 (p=.011). Both OR toothbrush groups showed statistically significantly greater plaque reduction compared with the manual toothbrush group after a single use (whole mouth, lingual, buccal, interproximal, and gingival margin plaque; p<.001) and after one week of repeated use (whole mouth, lingual, buccal, and interproximal plaque; p≤.022).Conclusion The entry-tier OR toothbrush provided significantly greater plaque and gingivitis reductions when used in either mode as compared to the manual toothbrush.

Effective scientific writing is a keystone to success in higher education. To excel and advance, aspiring academicians need to master the art and science of scientific writing. The following brief report describes the types of manuscripts accepted by research publications. More specifically, it highlights the parts of a research report, their inclusions, and guidelines on how to write them effectively and comprehensively. Suggestions on the writing process are also provided. Mastering scientific writing has a steep learning curve that requires perseverance, practice, collegiality, and hours of revising and editing.

Purpose Increasing trends have identified the importance of leadership development for health care professionals, however this concept has been largely unexplored in dental hygiene (DH) curricula. Without leadership development, DH students may struggle to perceive themselves as leaders in their professional careers, limiting their full capabilities. The purpose of this pilot study was to design, implement, and evaluate a leadership development curriculum for DH students.Methods This pilot study used a cross-sectional design. All senior DH students (n=24) completed the DiSC personality assessment to assess personal traits and received leadership development instruction, including presentations, interactive learning activities, and engaging discussions. Students were invited to complete pre- and post-surveys with Likert-scale items to measure self-awareness and leadership behaviors and open-ended questions to explore leadership perspectives. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, and emergent themes from the open-ended items were identifired.Results Most students (92.0%, n=22) completed both surveys. All (n=22) participants agreed that leadership development enhanced the awareness of individual professional values and increased their self-awareness; most (91.0%, n=20) rated their belief positively that leadership is an important skill in the DH profession. When comparing pre- and post-survey responses, learner confidence increased in defining leadership self-awareness (p=0.007). Open-ended responses supported perceptions regarding leadership development being essential in the curriculum and profession. Themes regarding behaviors, attitudes, values, and beliefs toward leadership development emerged to indicate an understanding and agreement for leadership skill-building to support professional roles and responsibilities. The programmatic course design was well-received. Feedback indicated value in both the content and interactive seminars as pedagogical strategies to deliver the curriculum.Conclusion The results of this study support the need and desire for DH students to engage in leadership development during their undergraduate programs. Findings can provide insight into the course design and content of leadership development programs in the DH curriculum.

Dental caries is a common and preventable disease in school-age children. Regular access to school-based dental care, can help reduce caries in this population. A dental hygiene program located in South Dakota developed an intervention to address the lack of accessible dental care for school-age children residing in rural areas. The purpose of this short report was to describe a recurring outreach program and discuss the criteria needed to promote the sustainability of school-based outreach programs in rural and underserved schools in South Dakota. With the assistance of grant funding, the University of South Dakota Department of Dental Hygiene was able to provide preventative oral health care services in schools that met the following criteria: schools must located be in a rural area in South Dakota within 100 miles of the university; fall within the guidelines of a health or dental provider shortage area; participants must be of school-age with a special emphasis placed on those with no dental home, limited access to care, and who are underinsured. Throughout the duration of the 12-year program 30 schools in southeastern South Dakota have been visited annually by dental hygiene students. Nearly 20% of the participants within these schools were at high risk for dental caries and/or utilized Medicaid/CHIP. The Preventive Dental Program (PDP) has been successful in achieving components of sustainability over time through continued commitment to the program's goals and missions, ongoing collaboration with schools, improving the service models, and increasing the program's capacity in local systems.

Purpose Evidence-based practice (EBP) is increasingly emphasized across various health care professions, including dental hygiene. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dental hygiene (DH) student attitudes toward utilizing research and EBP through the introduction of a literature review assignment as part of the education program.Methods A descriptive study was conducted to explore third year dental hygiene students' (n=48) perceptions of a research-based literature review assignment as part of an oral biology course. The assignment included a multiple choice and a reflective question examining students' perceptions of the activity. Descriptive statistics and manifest content analysis were used to analyze the data.Results A majority (96.0%, n=46) of the class responded to the reflective question survey. Three fourths of the participants (74.0%, n=34) stated that the literature review assignment helped them integrate and expand what they learned in the classroom. Content analysis generated 22 codes that were compiled into eight subcategories and then condensed into four categories. The participants perceived four main impacts of the literature review assignment on their learning experiences: bridging theory and practice, improved and engaged learning experiences, personal and professional development, and positive attitude towards research.Conclusion Although the study findings are based on one cohort of DH students, they demonstrated the emergence of a positive attitude among students towards research because of completing the literature review assignment. Future research should aim to explore the perceptions and attitudes of faculty members and diverse student populations towards research-based assignments embedded in the DH curriculum.

Purpose Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have a high prevalence among dental hygienists (DHs). However, there is a gap in the literature on WMSDs related to handedness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The purpose of this study was to measure the relationship between WMSDs, handedness, and HRQoL in DHs in clinical practice.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of DHs residing in the United States or Canada. The survey instrument consisted of three validated questionnaires on handedness, WMSDs, and HRQoL, as well as an open-ended question on the effects of WMSDs on HRQoL. Measures of frequency and logistic regression were used to determine handedness, and injuries and their influence on HRQoL.Results A total of 335 participants met the inclusion criteria and completed the survey. Most identified as right-handed (78.2%, n=262); a smaller group identified as left handed (8.1%, n=27). Respondents reported that WMSDs in the lower back (39.8% n=94) and wrist/hand (34.6%, n=82) over the past 12 months negatively impacted work activities. Handedness and the average number of weekly hours devoted to patient care were associated with poor physical health (p=.05), poor mental health (p=<.001), and activity limitation (p=.02). However, handedness was not a predictor of WMSDs or HRQoL.Conclusion While the prevalence of left-handedness in this study was higher than in the general population, handedness was not a predictor of WMSDs and HRQoL. However, WMSDs of the lower back, wrists/hands, and neck affected the ability to work in the past 12 months, and WMSDs of the upper back negatively impacted HRQoL.