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

Purpose Subscribing to color-blind racial attitudes may contribute to inequities in the delivery of oral care and affect treatment of diverse patients. The purpose of this study was to survey all entry-level dental hygiene students in one state to determine color-blind racial attitudes.Methods After IRB approval, a convenience sample of 220 dental hygiene students in all entry-level programs in Virginia were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. The Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS), an effective, validated measuring instrument, was used to quantify unawareness of contemporary racist ideals. Three subscales (Racial Privilege, Institutional Discrimination, and Blatant Racial Issues) were also measured by the survey. Descriptive statistics, separate one-way between-subjects ANOVA, and independent samples t-tests were used to analyze the data.Results One hundred and sixty (n=160) dental hygiene students completed the survey. Independent samples t-tests revealed statistically significant differences when comparing year in program and program type. Participants in their second year of dental hygiene education had significantly lower overall CoBRAS scores compared to those in their first year of education (M=50.76, M=59.13, respectively; p=0.004). Participants enrolled in a baccalaureate dental hygiene (B.S.) program had significantly lower overall CoBRAS scores compared to those enrolled in an associate (A.S.) program (M=50.53, M=59.54, respectively; p=0.002).Conclusion Participants possessed moderate levels of color-blindness suggesting a need for more awareness and training early in dental hygiene education to increase delivery of culturally competent oral healthcare.

Purpose Provider bias has been shown to be a contributing factor to racial and ethnic disparities observed in health care settings. The purpose of this study was to examine implicit racial bias among dental hygienists.Methods A convenience sample of licensed and practicing dental hygienists within the United States was recruited through email and national dental hygiene social media groups via snowball sampling. A two-part survey design was used for data collection. Participants completed a 10-item demographic survey through an online platform and were then routed to the Race Implicit Association Test (IAT). Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were used to compare demographic data and implicit racial preference scores (d-scores).Results Data from 404 licensed dental hygienists were included in this study. Over two-thirds (67.8%) of participants showed a preference for European Americans over African Americans. A significant difference was found between implicit racial preference scores and participant age (Estimate: 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.01), years worked comparing <5 years to 21 or more years (Estimate: 0.19, 95% CI: -0.30, -0.09), and race comparing non-White to White (Estimate: -0.17, 95% CI: -0.27, -0.07). No difference was found with task order, previous Race IAT experience, or previous self-reported implicit bias training.Conclusion Findings suggest that dental hygienists may harbor implicit racial preferences for European Americans over African Americans. Non-White participants had more positive implicit preferences toward African Americans compared to White participants. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which implicit racial biases contribute to disparities in oral health.

Purpose Dental floss has been promoted reduce the effects from interdental microbial biofilm, however its efficacy has been questioned in the literature. The purpose of this study was to compare daily flossing instructions using an adapted horizontal vertical flossing technique (AHVFT) and routine oral hygiene on gingival inflammation as indicated by bleeding on probing (BoP).Methods This randomized single-blinded controlled clinical trial was conducted with non-smoking adults presenting with gingivitis and no other systemic diseases. Eligible participants were recruited from a dental school patient population and were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A (experimental group) was instructed in how to use the AHVFT once daily and Group B (control group) was asked to continue with their regular oral hygiene practices. Clinical evaluations (interproximal BoP measurements) were performed by blinded, calibrated examiners at two, four, and eight-week intervals; the percentage of sites with interproximal BoP was recorded. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.Results A total of 36 eligible participants were enrolled in the study: Group A (n=18), Group B (n=18). The mean (±SD) percentage of interproximal sites with BoP was 26.3 (±4.7), 8.6 (±7.3), 7.2 (±5.2), and 7.9 (±5.8) for Group A at baseline, two weeks, four weeks, and eight weeks, respectively. The corresponding values for Group B were 25.8 (±9.9), 15.6 (±12.4), 12.3 (±12.2), and 18.0 (±13.1), respectively. The percentage of sites with BoP was significantly lower for Group A than for Group B (p=.015 at two weeks, p=.009 at four weeks, and p<.001 at eight weeks). Within each group, the percentage of sites with BoP was significantly lower when compared with baseline (p<.008). At the final visit, the percent reduction in BoP for Group A was 70% and 30% for Group B compared with baseline. Most (88.2%) of Group A participants demonstrated mastery of the AHVFT at eight weeks.Conclusion Participants who received Instruction with the daily use of the AHVFT were shown to have reductions in interproximal BoP as compared to participants who had not received instructions in the AHVFT. Positive gingival health outcomes with dental flossing may be technique sensitive.

Purpose Person-centered care focuses on the whole person as a unique individual whose perspective, as well as their family's perspective, is integrated into the provision of care. The purpose of this study was to describe the perspectives of patients regarding the influence of dental hygienist providers' Social Intelligence on self-care and to create a Social Intelligence Self-care Conceptual Model.Methods An investigator-designed questionnaire was administered to patients who received care at a dental hygiene program clinic following a minimum of one 15-minute self-care education session. Five open-ended items relating to patients' perspectives of the dental hygienist providers' Social Intelligence on self-care included: 1) commitment 2) partnering 3) responsibility, 4) positive social qualities and 5) negative social qualities. Responses were analyzed and themes developed for the first three items. Social Intelligence capabilities were used to analyze the last two items.Results A total of 103 participants responded to the questionnaire. Themes for the first three items were: 1) interactions promoting encouragement and that are educational and individualized, 2) personal and shared responsibility, and 3) helpful, collaborative, and negative partners. Analysis of the last two items regarding influential positive and negative qualities yielded adapted Social Intelligence capabilities definitions. A Social Intelligence Self-care Conceptual Model was created by combining the study's results, the concepts of the Client Self-care Commitment Model, and the philosophy of person-centered care.Conclusion Social Intelligence was apparent in participants' interpersonal interactions with dental hygiene care providers that were encouraging, educational, and individualized. Other influential interactions in relationship building were revealed in the themes of shared responsibility, helpful and collaborative partnerships and positive qualities demonstrated by dental hygienists. The Social Intelligence conceptual model may be valuable to implement into education and practice with the goal of improving person-centered care and the client's oral health.

Purpose The health implications related to electronic cigarettes are not fully understood and has created a public health concern. The purpose of this narrative review was to highlight the oral and systemic health concerns associated with electronic cigarettes and compare these concerns to those associated with conventional tobacco cigarettes.Methods The literature was obtained from PubMed, Ovid Medline, CINAHL, and Scopus databases in June 2021 and updated in February 2023. Sources were chosen based on the following inclusion criteria: date of publication between 2011 and 2023 and written in English. Articles were excluded based on irrelevance to the topic, weak study designs, lack of outcome data, low quality randomized control trials, unavailability of the full text article, and non-empirical research designs. The Cochrane tool, ROBINS-I, was used to assess the risk of bias.Results A total of 78 studies were included in the review. E-cigarette use was associated with significant adverse effects for cardiovascular, respiratory, immunological, and periodontal health as compared to nonusers; however, impacts were worse with conventional smoked cigarettes. Long term health effects remain unknown with e-cigarettes, but associations have been identified with periodontal and peri-implant disease, oral cancer, and mental health disorders. The heterogeneity of e-cigarette use related to vaping behavior, devices, and liquids limits the ability to generalize results. There is a need for the development of a research standard for exposure methods to establish a consensus with e-cigarette use and support the validity of results among researchers.Conclusion According to current research, e-cigarettes may induce less harm than traditional tobacco products, but e-cigarettes do not remove the carcinogenic and toxic risk that has been associated with conventional cigarettes. Further research is needed to make broad conclusions on the safety of e-cigarettes compared to conventional cigarettes and to nonusers.

Confusion exists among some researchers and educators regarding the classification of research designs. Some classify quantitative research studies as mixed methods research when using and analyzing open-ended items on a survey. Therefore, the purpose of this short report is to describe the mixed methods research design and distinguish it from other research methods. Types of mixed methods designs and key questions to consider for this approach are discussed.

Sampling is a critical element of research design. Different methods can be used for sample selection to ensure that members of the study population reflect both the source and target populations, including probability and non-probability sampling. Power and sample size are used to determine the number of subjects needed to answer the research question. Characteristics of individuals included in the sample population should be clearly defined to determine eligibility for study participation and improve power. Sample selection methods differ based on study design. The purpose of this short report is to review common sampling considerations and related errors.

Purpose The use of manikin testing was recently introduced for dental hygiene licensure examinations. There is currently a lack of research about the efficacy and accuracy of manikin testing for clinical licensure. The purpose of this study is to identify perceptions of dental hygiene educators regarding the use of manikins for the dental hygiene clinical licensure exam.Methods This qualitative study used an exploratory, online, focus group design with 20 dental hygiene educator participants recruited through purposive sampling. Pseudonyms were used to protect participants confidentiality. Two groups of educators were from institutions that did not use manikin testing during COVID-19, and two groups of educators were from institutions that did use manikin testing during the same time period. Themes were analyzed using the classic analysis strategy. Validity was established using investigator triangulation, member checks, and saturation.Results Lack of knowledge including preconceived assumptions regarding manikin examinations; testing considerations with benefits and concerns regarding manikins versus live patients; and perceptions regarding the value of single point in time clinical licensure examinations were the three major themes identified by the participants.Conclusion The manikin exam appeared to address ethical concerns, however, there were limitations in relation to assessing critical thinking and decision-making skills. Some participants expressed that graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program was considered sufficient for licensure. Future studies should include comparisons of recent graduates who complete a clinical licensure examination versus those who do not complete a clinical licensure examination.

Purpose Non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) is considered to be fundamental in the treatment of periodontal disease. Advanced area specific instruments were designed to increase the clinician's ability to effectively access root furcation areas during NSPT. The purpose of this study was to explore clinical dental hygienists' familiarity, utilization, and perceived efficacy of advanced instruments in root furcation areas during NSPT.Methods A randomized sample (n=3,500) of licensed dental hygienists in Michigan was invited to participate in a paper-based, mail survey. The 10-item instrument consisted of demographic, multiple choice, Likert scale, and open-ended questions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.Results A total of 1,156 surveys were returned; 858 met the inclusion criteria for a response rate of 24.5%. Respondents who graduated between 2010-2020 than those who graduated between 1990-1999 were more likely to utilize advanced instruments and those who graduated in 1989 or earlier (16.0% and 19.9% respectively). Respondents familiar with advanced instruments were more likely to use them in furcation areas during NSPT than those less familiar with the instruments (95% CI [18.1, 29.6], p<0.001). Respondents who perceived advanced instruments to be effective in furcation areas were more likely to utilize them (95% CI [1.0, 8.0], p<0.05) during NSPT. Most respondents indicated that they became familiar with advanced instruments during their dental hygiene education or through continuing education courses.Conclusion Familiarity with advanced instruments and perceived efficacy of these instruments for accessing root furcations increased the likelihood of clinical dental hygienists utilizing them during NSPT. Dental hygiene education and continuing education programs should continue to provide opportunities for students and practicing clinicians to learn NSPT instrumentation techniques utilizing advanced instruments designed for furcation access.