The Dental Hygienists in Sweden and Portugal: A Comparative Study

Anaesthesia and Caries Treatment by Dental Hygienists: A Worldwide Review

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to summarise the competencies and legal position of the dental hygienist (DH) regarding local anaesthesia and caries treatment through a worldwide review.

METHODS

A structured and peer-reviewed online questionnaire consisting of 27 questions was developed and emailed to all DH associations that are members of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists or European Dental Hygienists Federation. After obtaining the data, all responding associations were contacted to confirm that the data were summarised in the correct order and were asked to provide further clarification of answers if necessary. A descriptive analysis was performed to summarise the data.

RESULTS

Thirty-one countries were approached and 26 responded, resulting in a response rate of 84%. In 62% of the countries, the DH can administer local anaesthesia via infiltration and/or block anaesthesia. In 23% of the countries, the DH can indicate the placement of a caries restoration. In 15% of the countries, the DH can place caries restorations. In 81% of the countries, the DH can apply sealants.

CONCLUSIONS

Considerable variation exists amongst countries regarding the extended scope of DH practice. Overall, independently administering local anaesthesia appears to be more accepted as being within the scope of DH practice than caries removal and the placement of restorations.

Working characteristics for practicing dental hygienists in two countries in different hemispheres

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to collect and compare practice characteristics for dental hygienists (DHs) in New Zealand (NZ) and Sweden.

METHODS

Dental hygienists from NZ and Sweden were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey focusing on their working practices. An email, with a link to the online survey and a participant information sheet, was sent to DHs registered with their professional association in their respective country. Frequency analyses and cross-tabulations were conducted using Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests to investigate possible statistical associations to allow for comparisons between the countries.

RESULTS

DH is a female-dominated workforce with equal distribution of gender in both countries. The majority of DHs in NZ worked in private practice while Swedish DHs mostly worked in the public sector. NZ participants were younger and with a more recent qualification than their Swedish counterparts. The highest degree of education was a PhD for DHs working in Sweden, compared with a Masters' Degree for NZ participants. The majority of participants from both countries treated patients 65 years of age or older, with the most common medical conditions being cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. The most common dental condition observed/treated was periodontal disease. Over 60% agreed to have an understanding of information technology (IT). The most used technical equipment was digital radiology, followed by other diagnostic tools.

CONCLUSION

Findings confirm previous international data on demographical uptake for the DH workforce in NZ and Sweden. A coherence was seen in patient characteristics, DHs attitudes towards information technology and use of technical equipment.

Stakeholder Perception of the Professional Role and Competence of Swedish Dental Hygienists: A Questionnaire and Interview Study

Objectives:

This study investigated stakeholder opinions on the competence and role of dental hygienists in Sweden.

Materials and Methods:

A questionnaire was sent by e–mail to 94 stakeholders in eight Swedish counties. The survey queried the competence of recently graduated dental hygienists in skills in collaboration, communication, and problem–solving, and in clinical skills. In addition, 10 stakeholders from different Swedish dental organizations agreed to one–on–one deep interviews. Open–ended questions focused on dental hygienist competence to perform dental hygienist skills and tasks and to collaborate with other dental professionals and health–care professionals. Further topics concerning the dental hygienist included their future role and working in other European countries. The interviews were transcribed and then coded using qualitative conventional content analysis methods.

Results:

The stakeholder consensus in both the questionnaires and the interviews was that the dental hygienist profession is essential to modern dental care. The professional knowledge possessed by dental hygienists is unique and their role has developed and broadened over the years. Furthermore, the qualitative content analysis of the deep interviews identified a core category: The dental hygienist is an important profession for good oral health.

Conclusion:

Dental hygienists, responsible for prevention and oral health promotion, are an important members of the modern dental team. The need for dental hygienists to collaborate with other dental and general health–care professionals to meet the future demands of society will increase.