Factors associated with job and career satisfaction among dental hygienists

Information concerning dental hygienists' job and career satisfaction is dated and incomplete. Because satisfaction may be important in retention of dental hygienists, a survey of all active dental hygienists in private practices in North Carolina was performed to ascertain dimensions and levels of job and career satisfaction, as well as factors associated with these constructs. Of 2,099 eligible hygienists, 51 percent responded to a survey instrument containing 202 items addressing overall satisfaction, as well as satisfaction with a variety of work-related factors. Factor analysis was used to develop scales for job and career satisfaction, and for the work-related factors. Final reduced regression models indicated that the constructs of job and career satisfaction are separate and that each has distinct general and intrinsic dimensions. Models for general job and career satisfaction had R2 values of .45 and .27, respectively, and included a variety of work-related factors such as supervisory style and satisfaction with salary. Models for intrinsic job and career satisfaction were not as strong, with R2 values of .06 and .09, respectively. These models also included work-related factors such as satisfaction with hours of work, office safety arrangements, and supervisory style. These results suggest that general job and career satisfaction levels should be amenable to change through management interventions.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antibody in South African dental personnel

Because there are no data available on the seroprevalence of hepatitis B in dental personnel in South Africa, a study was performed to assess the antibody status to hepatitis B surface antigen among 129 dental (preclinical) students and 62 dental hygienists at the Western Cape Dental School of South Africa. A total of 11 dental students and nine hygienists were positive to hepatitis B surface antibody, indicating a seroprevalence of 8.5% and 14.5%, respectively. These results, reported for the first time in dental personnel in South Africa, imply that dental students and hygienists in this part of the world are exposed to a significant risk of contracting hepatitis B.

A short-term epidemiological study of median nerve dysfunction in practicing dental hygienists

The purpose of this study was to assess over time changes in median nerve function in a group of 20 students who entered the University of Minnesota dental hygiene program in 1986. This is a follow-up report on 16 of the 20 students who were evaluated two years postgraduation in 1990. Comparisons were made with prior evaluations of the subjects completed at graduation in 1988, and one year postgraduation in 1989. Digital vibrometry was used to evaluate median nerve sensibility threshold at each of the time periods studied. Analysis revealed that after one year of clinical practice, there was a mean sensibility threshold shift of 11.04% in the left median nerve and 8.42% in the right median nerve as measured by digital vibrometry. Results at two years postgraduation indicated that the threshold shift observed in an earlier study had been arrested. The reasons appeared to be twofold: (1) a period of work hardening with a concept of neuromuscular ligamentous tissue hypertrophy or adaptation to the rigors of dental hygiene practice, and/or (2) the practicing dental hygienist had learned to become more efficient in the provision of hygiene procedures. There were no reported symptoms of median nerve dysfunction and none of the subjects had been diagnosed as having CTS at any time during the two years since graduation. Continued evaluations will be necessary to determine whether the observations noted during the second year postgraduation evaluation indicated temporary or permanent slowing of the conditions necessary for the development of CTS.

Factors influencing the selection of dental hygiene as a profession

Since the mid-1970s, the dental hygiene profession has experienced a decline in the number of applicants. Reasons cited for this decline are fewer traditional college-age students, an increase in the career opportunities available to women, and a decrease in student financial aid. Four-year dental hygiene programs have experienced applicant decline faster than two-year programs. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influenced university freshmen to designate dental hygiene as a career choice. Factors examined included reasons for choosing or not choosing a career in dental hygiene, and retention in the college major chosen. A questionnaire was mailed to three groups of students who entered the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill as freshmen from 1985 through 1987: (1) all students who designated dental hygiene as a major on their entrance application; (2) a random sample who did not; and (3) all the freshman during that time period who subsequently matriculated into the dental hygiene program. The overall response rate was 78% (n = 80). Subjects began to explore career opportunities at a mean age of 16. Having a family member/friend in the selected field was found to be the most influential factor in career selection. Among dental hygiene students, contact with a dental hygienist was perceived to be influential in their career choice. Entering college freshmen exhibited a lack of knowledge about the dental hygiene profession, and most had not received any information about dental hygiene in high school. These findings can be used to develop recruitment strategies.

Carpal tunnel syndrome. Risk factors and preventive strategies for the dental hygienist

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is well recognized as an occupational risk for dental hygienists. The contributing risk factors fall primarily into two categories: medical and occupational. The purposes of this paper are to examine the factors that predispose one to CTS in order to increase awareness among dental hygienists, and to offer preventive strategies that can be incorporated into daily practice.

Dental hygiene students' and practitioners' resolution of professional issues

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among verbal ability, extent of education and professional experience, level of cognitive development, and age (separately and in combination) and dental hygiene students' and practitioners' ability to resolve professional issues. Forty-five dental hygiene students and graduates participated in this cross-sectional study (15 associate-degree subjects with no professional experience; 15 associate-degree subjects with professional experience; and 15 baccalaureate-degree subjects with professional experience). Ability to resolve professional issues was measured using two professional issues cases developed by the investigator. Protocols were rated separately and blindly by two raters, resulting in high interrater reliability (r = .69) and agreement estimates (80%). Results revealed that subjects with higher levels of education and professional experience achieved higher scores on the professional issues cases. Multiple regression and part correlation analyses revealed that the independent variables, in combination and separately, were of questionable value in predicting ability to respond to professional issues. While no single variable was overwhelmingly predictive, the combination variable extent of education and professional experience appeared to be the best predictor.

Reasons for changing employment positions among practicing North Carolina dental hygienists

This study sought to identify factors associated with dental hygienists' decisions to leave one dental office and commence practice in another. Although dental hygienists' decisions to leave the profession have been examined in some detail, this more common phenomenon of changing positions has not been carefully examined. All currently practicing dental hygienists in North Carolina were surveyed in 1990, as a part of a cooperative project addressing retention of dental office team members. The survey collected information concerning the 976 respondents' (51% response rate) employment experience, reasons associated with leaving past positions, current job and career satisfaction, and personal characteristics. These data were analyzed to determine factors associated with both reported position changes and respondents' predictions of their professional activity status five years hence. No one reason or group of related reasons predominated among respondents' indicated reasons for leaving past positions. Approximately 25% of all changes were related to family responsibilities or spouse relocation. A larger proportion of changes was associated with a variety of job-related factors. Length of time in current position was not strongly related to job or career satisfaction, or to specific employment arrangements. The satisfaction measures were strongly associated with respondents' predictions of future activity status, while the employment arrangements were not. The results indicate that position changes occur for a variety of reasons, most, but not all, of which represent problems amenable to resolution through interventions designed to improve aspects of management within the practice.

Passive dosimetry of dental hygienists' exposure to nitrous oxide

This study is the first to measure exposure to waste nitrous oxide (N2O) in the dental work setting in a broad geographical region (25 states), with passive dosimeters, and for dental hygienists. Thirty-five dental hygienists who reported that they administered N2O and 20 dental hygienists who reported that they never administered N2O constituted the sample. The former (n = 35) received both a 40-hr dosimeter, which measured exposure during administration of N2O, and a 168-hr dosimeter, which measured exposure during all work hours. The latter (n = 20) received only the 168-hr dosimeter. Exposure was measured during 2 wk in April 1990. For all work hours, the mean ppm-hr was 3,636 and the mean time-weighted average (TWA) was 78 ppm. The corresponding means during administration were 2,754 ppm-hr and 842 ppm TWA. The data for dental hygienists with passive dosimeters were similar to previously reported findings for dentists as measured by infrared spectrophotometry and gas chromatography. Hygienists who worked in dental settings with scavenging equipment received higher average levels of exposure to N2O than did hygienists who worked in settings without scavenging.

[The dental hygienist in the periodontal practice]

Nine dental hygienists working in a periodontal practice were interviewed. Their work is discussed. The initial therapy entails patient instruction, indices, supra- and subgingival debridement and polishing of the teeth. The duration of the initial therapy is between three and seven hours. About 25% of the time is spend on patient education. Most dental hygienists working in a periodontal practice experience high job satisfaction.

Recognition of HIV/AIDS-associated oral lesions by the dental team

The abilities of dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants to recognize HIV/AIDS-associated intraoral lesions were examined and compared. Subjects who were attending a regional dental meeting were shown six color photographs (2.5 in x 3.5 in) and asked to determine what condition might be depicted. There were no significant differences in scores between the dentists and dental hygienists, while dental assistants had significantly poorer scores than both groups. Recognition scores for all groups indicate that dental health professionals may not be adequately recognizing the oral clinical manifestations of HIV/AIDS infection. This should receive greater emphasis both in the school setting and in the continuing education arena.