Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1997. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1997. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

This causal-comparative and correlational study examined cross-cultural adaptability of randomly selected licensed dental hygienists, 1995-2005 graduates, practicing in the state of Texas and first and second-year dental hygiene students attending 5 randomly selected accredited 2 and 4-year dental hygiene schools in the state of Texas. A sample of 289 individuals: 194 enrolled students and 95 licensed dental hygienists, alumni of the 5 schools, completed the 50-item Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory (CCAI ®) and a brief demographic survey. The purpose of this study was to determine if statistically significant differences existed among and between licensed dental hygienists and first and second-year dental hygiene students in the state of Texas on a cross-cultural adaptability measure. The study also examined relationships among and between cross-cultural adaptability scores, as measured by the CCAI, and several independent variables. The data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS 12). Eight hypotheses related to group differences and relationships among and between groups and variables were tested. The groups were compared on total CCAI scores using a t-test, and on subscale CCAI scores simultaneously using a descriptive discriminant analysis (DDA). A 3X2 MANOVA was used to compare all groups simultaneously on subscale CCAI scores. The sample was also analyzed for statistically significant differences among 3 levels of ethnicity and total CCAI scores using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Lastly, various Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to determine relationships among and between the 3 independent variables mentioned above and total and subscale CCAI scores. The results revealed no statistically significant differences among the various groups and CCAI scores. A statistically significant relationship (r = .148) was found between age and 1 of the 4 CCAI subscale scores, flexibility/openness. No other statistically significant relationships were found. The study concluded that number of years for degree, level of practice, ethnicity, and years employed may not play a significant role in enhancing cross-cultural adaptability. Further research needs to be conducted to determine differences and relationships between and among various dental hygiene groups and their cross-cultural adaptability performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine the awareness and attitudes of dental hygienists in Ohio regarding the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner (ADHP) as an occupation proposed by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and to determine whether the ADHP could be a viable career option for Ohio dental hygienists. I developed a survey to assess dental hygienists’ awareness, attitudes, and their views regarding the new mid-level dental provider. The study was limited to licensed dental hygienists in Ohio. The study included a simple random sample of 400 of the 4100 dental hygienists in Ohio obtained by a systematic approach, a random start and selection of subjects at a constant interval. The method of data collection was electronic surveys. Fifty-four dental hygienists (13% of the sample) participated in the study. The results show that most of those responding were aware of the ADHP. Also, their attitude regarding the new mid-level dental provider was positive. Attitudes varied more when the respondents provided data on the adoption of legislation for the new provider. There was no consensus among respondents regarding the ADHP as a viable career option. More robust research is needed on the viability of the ADHP in Ohio.

The ETSU dental hygiene program is very competitive and rigorous for those admitted. Student dental hygienists may experience higher levels of anxiety and more stressors while completing their course work and clinical hours than they have previously experienced in general education and prerequisite courses. These increased number of stressors and higher levels of anxiety may have negative impacts on students’ academic performance and success in clinical learning environments. A better understanding of the actual need for a stress reduction and anxiety management curriculum will facilitate creating and implementing this type of curriculum. A total of 44 current ETSU dental hygiene students were included in the study, juniors (55%) and (45%) seniors. Nearly all respondents reported their current stress and anxiety levels are affecting their lives (97.5%). Consistently over a third of students who completed surveys from the ETSU dental hygiene program are experiencing physical symptoms of stress and anxiety including headaches, gastrointestinal distress, trouble sleeping, eating too much or too little daily, tense muscles, worry or phobias, anger or hostility, irritability or hostility, and nervousness 2-3 times a week. The average stress level of the 44 ETSU dental hygiene students reported on a 1-10 scale was a 7.65. Nearly half (40%) of all ETSU dental hygiene students currently enrolled reported their stress level as 8 out of 10 with 10 defined as “I can only think of my stress and anxiety”. Further research including an educational intervention to help teach students skills and coping mechanisms to manage and reduce stress and anxiety was recommended.

Many factors influence poor oral health among disadvantaged populations including socioeconomic circumstances, knowledge of disease prevention strategies and ability to implement those strategies, public policies, insurance status, insurance policies, dental providers and other challenges to accessing dental care. Often these issues converge and result in early disadvantages to achieving good oral health (Horton & Barker, 2010). Addressing even some of the factors that contribute to poor oral health may provide ways to change the dental health status of historically underserved populations. The purpose of this research is to explore my role as a practitioner and researcher in the creation of a hygienist-based, community-site located, teledentistry supported system of dental care for underserved populations and the intersection of my experiences with cultural, societal and educational occurrences. This autoethnography examined my own experiences and also explored the experiences of a small sample of others who participated in onsite dental care systems utilizing hygienists as the prevention-focused primary care provider. As Ellis and Bochner (1996) note “Autoethnography stands as a current attempt to, quite literally, come to terms with sustaining questions of self and culture” (p. 193). The findings that emerged from my work included a realization that the dental industry creates and perpetuates the collective neglect of large portions of the US population. Some of this neglect is embedded in traditional power structures in dentistry, gender bias and distrust in professional skills as a result of separate professional education structures. The result for many people is untreated dental disease, a profound lack of health equity, increased shame due to poor oral health as well as missing school. There are ways to address the collective neglect of the dental industry through the reframing of the dental hygienist as the prevention-focused primary care oral health provider in professional education programs then integrating this provider type into community settings like schools.

No description available.

Quality assurance in healthcare is fundamental in ensuring the achievement of desired outcomes for patients. In 2011 a quality assurance plan was created at the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) dental hygiene program in order to meet accreditation standards. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this plan in order to determine its effectiveness in improving the quality of patient care indicators. One hundred fifty patient charts were selected and audited. Deficiencies were counted in the categories of assessment, treatment, documentation, referral, caries management, perio management, patient education, and follow-up. Research findings were varied; however, external variables with the potential to affect the study’s results were identified. Furthermore, statistical process control procedures indicated that the quality assurance program was effective or had the potential to be effective. Although further research is warranted, this study could be used to improve quality assurance practices at the ETSU dental hygiene program.

The use of smokeless tobacco products is increasing among teenagers and young adults in the United States. Community health professionals play a vital role in educating the public about these products, and in this regard the dental hygienist is of critical importance. This study evaluated the knowledge and attitudes towards smokeless tobacco among a representative sample of dental hygiene students in the United States. The dental hygiene schools were divided into six geographical regions and a total of 34 schools and 722 students participated. Seniors were found to score significantly higher than non-seniors both in knowledge and attitude. Furthermore, some significant differences in attitude were discovered between regions. In general, students scored poorly on both knowledge and attitude despite reporting having received classroom instruction on smokeless tobacco.

No description available.