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Ray M, Lane CK, Rogo EJ. The experiences of dental hygienists providing restorative patient care. Int J Dent Hyg 2023; 21:669-681. [PMID: 37563977 DOI: 10.1111/idh.12716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The intent of this inquiry was to explore the lived experiences of dental hygienists who provide restorative patient care. METHODS Phenomenology was the qualitative approach used. Purposive sampling ensured participants had relevant experiences. An interview guide was emailed 1 week prior to the interview to help participants prepare responses. Informed consent included selecting a pseudonym, which was used throughout the interview and on the written transcript to protect the participants' identities. One-hour semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded on Zoom. Data collection and analysis occurred simultaneously. Verbatim transcription accuracy was verified. Data were initially coded and then focused coding created themes. Demographic data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS After eight interviews, data saturation was achieved. Seven females and one male participated. All participants experienced a restorative curriculum in their entry-level program and most felt well-prepared. The motivation for becoming a restorative dental hygienist included having positive restorative experiences during the entry-level program, wanting to keep restorative skills current after graduation, and having an opportunity to provide restorative care. Challenges experienced included the dentists' negative attitudes, hygienists' not valuing restorative abilities and not having a qualified dental assistant. Personal benefits were related to career fulfilment. Benefits to patients involved improving access, efficiency, and convenience. The benefit to the office was increased production. Differences between restorative and preventive care involved demands of care and patient care flow. CONCLUSION The findings provide insight into the unique experiences of dental hygienists who provided restorative patient care and a foundation for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Ray
- Department of Dental Hygiene, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, USA
| | | | - Ellen J Rogo
- Department of Dental Hygiene, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, USA
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Aro T, Laitala M, Syrjälä AM, Laitala ML, Virtanen JI. Perceptions of older people's oral health care among nurses working in geriatric home care. Acta Odontol Scand 2018; 76:427-432. [PMID: 29334297 DOI: 10.1080/00016357.2018.1425900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigates nurses' self-reported experiences and perceptions of older people's oral health care using a qualitative method. METHODS We interviewed 10 nurses working in geriatric home care who regularly visit and take care of older people in their homes. The interviews consisted of semi-structured questions. The interviews were then transcribed and analysed. RESULTS All nurses were aware of the connection between oral health and general health, but more detailed knowledge about oral health was lacking and confidence in oral health care practices was limited. Many of the interviewees noted the cleaning of removable dentures and problems related to them, but did not mention anything about periodontal diseases. Oral health education among the nurses was rare. The nurses reported lack of time to take care of their clients' oral health. As possible development steps, the interviewees suggested that including oral health care in the daily treatment plan would improve oral health care practices. CONCLUSIONS The nurses' lack of knowledge about oral health care and uncertainty in oral health practices among older people are major problems in daily geriatric home care. Oral health education and confidence in oral health practices should be improved in both basic and on-the-job education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taru Aro
- Research Unit of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marjo Laitala
- Social Sciences, Faculty of Education, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anna-Maija Syrjälä
- Periodontology and Geriatric Dentistry, Research Unit of Oral Health Sciences, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marja-Liisa Laitala
- Research Unit of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Kallio Public Health Care, Ylivieska, Finland
| | - Jorma I. Virtanen
- Research Unit of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
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Åstrøm AN, Ekbäck G, Ordell S, Lie SA, Gulcan F. Dental hygienist attendance and its covariates in an ageing Swedish cohort. Eur J Oral Sci 2017; 125:487-494. [PMID: 29083073 DOI: 10.1111/eos.12385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Delegation of tasks between professional groups is important to make health-care services accessible and effective for ageing people. Focussing on a Swedish 1942 birth cohort and guided by Andersen's Behavioral Model, this study assessed dental hygienist attendance from age 50 to age 70 and identified covariates at the population-averaged and person-specific levels. In 1992, a census of 50-yr-old subjects was invited to participate in a questionnaire survey. Of the 6,346 respondents, 3,585 completed follow-ups in 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted using a marginal model and a random intercept model. Cochran's Q test revealed that significantly more respondents confirmed dental hygienist attendance in 2012 than in 1992 (57.2% in 2012 vs. 26.0% in 1992). Population-averaged ORs for dental hygienist attendance across time were 3.5 at age 70 yr compared with age 50 yr (baseline); 2.0 if being a regular rather than an irregular dental attendee; and 0.7 if being of non-native origin compared with native origin. The corresponding person-specific ORs were 8.9, 3.2, and 0.5. Consistent with Andersen's Behavioral Model, predisposing, enabling, and need-related factors were associated with dental hygienist attendance at population-averaged and person-specific levels. This has implications for promoting dental hygienist attendance among ageing people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne N Åstrøm
- Department of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Gunnar Ekbäck
- Örebro County Council, Örebro, Sweden.,School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Sven Ordell
- Dental Commissioning Unit, Östergötland County Council, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Stein A Lie
- Department of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ferda Gulcan
- Department of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Jokiaho TL, Kaakinen P, Virtanen JI. Does dental hygienist professional education meet the needs of working life? Educators' views. Int J Dent Hyg 2017; 16:134-143. [PMID: 28804997 DOI: 10.1111/idh.12309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe the compatibility of dental hygienist education with working life from the perspective of their educators. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study among principal educators of dental hygienists in Finland in 2012-2013. The participants were leading educators of dental hygienists (n = 13) from the four Finnish education units. We used semi-structured interviews based on previous Nordic studies to collect the data and analysed them using inductive content analysis. RESULTS According to the educators, dental hygienists' skills at work are neither fully nor effectively utilized, even though their education meets the needs of working life quite well. The educators felt that hygienists' professional competence would prove more useful in health promotion and orthodontic measures and that the division of labour should be clearer. Clarifying this distinction in periodontal therapy could be improved. CONCLUSION Fully utilizing dental hygienists' competence in clinical work would benefit from further development. The content of dental hygienists' clinical work should be reassessed so as to utilize their skills more fully. The compatibility of dental hygienist education corresponds largely to the needs of future working life.
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Affiliation(s)
- T-L Jokiaho
- Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - P Kaakinen
- Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - J I Virtanen
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.,Research Unit of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Colonio Salazar FB, Andiappan M, Radford DR, Gallagher JE. Attitudes of the first cohort of student groups trained together at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy towards dental interprofessional education. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR DENTAL EDUCATION IN EUROPE 2017; 21:91-100. [PMID: 26776922 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study explored, and compared, the attitudes of student groups trained at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy (UPDA) in 2010/2011 towards dental interprofessional education (IPE). METHODS The study population consisted of fifth-year student dentists (n = 80) from King's College London Dental Institute, second- and third-year dental hygiene and therapy (n = 38) and first-year dental nursing (n = 14) students from UPDA. A 19-item, validated and dentally modified questionnaire, 'Readiness for Inter-Professional Learning Scale (RIPLS)', was administered. RIPLS contains three subscales: teamwork and collaboration, professional identity and roles and responsibilities. Mean (x¯) and standard deviation (SD) of the scores were calculated, following reversal of negative items. All the analyses were carried out using SPSS version 20 and STATA version 11. RESULTS An overall response rate of 71% (n = 94) was achieved. In reference to teamwork and collaboration, all groups strongly indicated that IPE can contribute to learning teamwork skills (x¯ = 24.98, SD = 3.5) and improving relationships with team members (x¯ = 12.93, SD = 1.63); however, the scores did not differ between the groups (P = 0.09 and P = 0.16, respectively). Concerning professional identity, student dentists had significantly higher preference for a discipline-based approach (P = 0.002); were more likely to agree that 'it is not necessary for undergraduate dental and dental care professional students to learn together' (P = 0.01); and perceived that 'clinical problem-solving skills can only be learnt effectively with other students from their own discipline' (P = 0.02) than dental hygiene and therapy students. In relation to roles and responsibilities, participants demonstrated a strong sense of their own professional role. Student dentists reported that they had 'to gain more knowledge and skills' than dental hygiene and therapy (P = 0.01) and dental nursing (P = 0.01) students. Dental hygiene and therapy students were less likely than student dentists to agree that 'the role of dental nurses and hygienists was to mainly provide support for dentists' (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION The findings suggest that IPE was perceived as beneficial in relation to teamwork; however, the study raises issues regarding professional identity and roles. Educators should consider differing perceptions of professional roles and identities when planning and delivering interprofessional programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- F B Colonio Salazar
- King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK
| | - M Andiappan
- King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK
| | - D R Radford
- King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK
- University of Portsmouth Dental Academy, Portsmouth, UK
| | - J E Gallagher
- King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK
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Reinders JJ, Krijnen WP, Onclin P, van der Schans CP, Stegenga B. Attitudes among dentists and dental hygienists towards extended scope and independent practice of dental hygienists. Int Dent J 2017; 67:46-58. [DOI: 10.1111/idj.12254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Virtanen JI, Pellikka E, Singh S, Widström E. The professional role of a dental hygienist in Finland - educators’ views. Int J Dent Hyg 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/idh.12166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- JI Virtanen
- Department of Community Dentistry; Faculty of Medicine; University of Oulu; Oulu Finland
- Medical Research Center; Oulu University Hospital; Oulu Finland
| | - E Pellikka
- Department of Community Dentistry; Faculty of Medicine; University of Oulu; Oulu Finland
| | - S Singh
- Discipline of Dentistry; University of Kwazulu-Natal; Durban South Africa
| | - E Widström
- National Institute of Health and Welfare (THL); Helsinki Finland
- Institute of Clinical Dentistry; Arctic University of Norway; Tromsø Norway
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Wanyonyi KL, Radford DR, Gallagher JE. Dental skill mix: a cross-sectional analysis of delegation practices between dental and dental hygiene-therapy students involved in team training in the South of England. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2014; 12:65. [PMID: 25407478 PMCID: PMC4247654 DOI: 10.1186/1478-4491-12-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research suggests that health professionals who have trained together have a better understanding of one another's scope of practice and are thus equipped for teamwork during their professional careers. Dental hygiene-therapists (DHTs) are mid-level providers that can deliver routine care working alongside dentists. This study examines patterns of delegation (selected tasks and patients) by dental students to DHT students training together in an integrated team. METHODS A retrospective sample of patient data (n = 2,063) was extracted from a patient management system showing the treatment activities of two student cohorts (dental and DHT) involved in team training in a primary care setting in the South of England over two academic years. The data extracted included key procedures delegated by dental students to DHT students coded by skill-mix of operator (e.g., fissure sealants, restorations, paediatric extractions) and patient demography. χ2 tests were conducted to investigate the relationship between delegation and patient age group, gender, smoking status, payment-exemption status, and social deprivation. RESULTS A total of 2,063 patients managed during this period received treatments that could be undertaken by either student type; in total, they received 14,996 treatment procedures. The treatments most commonly delegated were fissure sealants (90%) and restorations (51%); whilst the least delegated were paediatric extractions (2%). Over half of these patients (55%) had at least one instance of delegation from a dental to a DHT student. Associations were found between delegation and patient age group and smoking status (P <0.001). Children under 18 years old had a higher level of delegation (86%) compared with adults of working age (50%) and patients aged 65 years and over (56%). A higher proportion of smokers had been delegated compared with non-smokers (45% cf. 26%; P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that delegation of care to DHT students training as a team with dental students, involved significantly greater experience in treating children and adult smokers, and providing preventive rather than invasive care in this integrated educational and primary care setting. The implications for their contribution to dentistry and the dental team are discussed, along with recommendations for primary care data recording.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina L Wanyonyi
- />King’s College London Dental Institute, Division of Population and Patient Health, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9RS UK
| | - David R Radford
- />Teaching Division, King’s College London Dental Institute, Guys Tower, Guys Hospital, St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RT UK
- />University of Portsmouth Dental Academy, William Beatty Building, Hampshire Terrace, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2QG UK
| | - Jennifer E Gallagher
- />King’s College London Dental Institute, Division of Population and Patient Health, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9RS UK
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Franzén C. Boundary work of dentists in everyday work. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2012; 40:377-84. [PMID: 22429104 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2012.00682.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Swedish policy objectives in dental care provision - to meet public demands for dental care and to increase the cost-effectiveness of the service - require dentists to work in teams with dental hygienists and dental nurses. This study focused on the role of dentists in the distribution of work tasks within teams in one Swedish Public Dental Service organisation. Dental clinics were viewed as micro-political arenas in which dentists attempt to demarcate professional boundaries in response to teamwork. METHODS Semi-structured interviews, observations and documents were used. The interviewed individuals were seven dentists employed at two clinics, the managers of each clinic and the general manager. The dentists were interviewed to investigate how they defend or blur professional boundaries. They were also observed at work. The clinic managers and the general manager were interviewed to identify their expectations of dentists concerning work division. The documents comprised organisational plans and annual reports. RESULTS Dentists demarcated professional boundaries by utilising various power resources: treatment responsibility, specialist knowledge, discretion, and avoidance of work considered to be low status work. The dentists also contributed to blurred boundaries between themselves and the other dental professionals by discussing patient treatment, giving and receiving advice, and assisting the others in skill development. CONCLUSION Although dentists' boundary work could obstruct implementation of policy objectives, dentists' behaviour contributed to effective collaboration within the teams.
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