Dental Hygiene Commons^™

The Relationship Between Levels Of Dentist Supervision And The Ability Of Dental Hygienists In Nontraditional Settings To Provide Care, Julie Ann Dunphy

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to determine if a relationship exists between levels of dentist supervision and the ability of dental hygienists in nontraditional settings to provide care, and to ascertain differences in the ability of dental hygienists practicing in legal jurisdictions with direct, indirect, general, and no dentist supervision. The Dental Hygiene supervision in Nontraditional settings Questionnaire (DHSNSQ) was sent to a purposive sample consisting of dental hygienists employed in nontraditional settings within one of the four levels of dentist supervision. The levels of dentist supervision were based on criteria, education, and competence, stipulated by each of the …

Effectiveness Of Dna Probe Technology In Distinguishing Among Gingival Health, Mild-Moderate Periodontitis, And Severe Periodontitis In Human Oral Sites, Juliana J. Kim

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if there is a difference in the type of microorganisms found in oral sites classified as gingival health, mild-moderate periodontitis, or severe periodontitis as measured by the DMDx* Test. A purposive sample of one hundred oral sites was selected from adult patients. Subjects were excluded from the study based on: the presence of any systemic disorders, communicable diseases, diabetic conditions, blood dyscrasias, congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, pregnancy, history of periodontal surgery, prosthetic joint replacement, hypertensive heart disease, or any medications that might alter the gingival tissues (e.g. antibiotics, hormonal therapy, …

Regulation Of Dental Hygienists: Its Effect On Disciplinary Action And Opinions Of Regulatory Board Members In The United States And Canada, Jodie A. Mueller

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was two-fold. The first was to examine the effect of regulatory status (dentist versus dental hygienist control) on disciplinary sanctions for dental hygiene practitioners. The second was to assess the opinions of board members concerning the regulation of the practice of dental hygiene. Regulatory bodies from jurisdictions with and without dental hygiene self-regulation in both Canada and the United States respectively were examined to determine if differences exist in opinions and sanctions exercised by the two. A self-designed questionnaire titled the Mueller-Dental Hygiene Regulatory Questionnaire was used to obtain descriptive data on a sample of …

Effects Of A Commercial Sodium Bicarbonate Toothpaste On Composite Restorative Material, Maggie Jackson

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Commercial sodium bicarbonate toothpaste is a relatively new product on the market and limited research has tested its effects on composite material. The purpose of this investigation was to determine and compare, invitro, the effects of a commercially available sodium bicarbonate toothpaste versus a leading brand of fluoridated toothpaste on composite restorative material simulated in daily toothbrushing for a six month time period. Deionized water was used as the control treatment. A three-group, post-test only design was used to test the abrasive effects of the paste on 48 filled composite resin shade guide teeth. The digital microprocessor scanning device, a …

Attitudes Of Virginia Dental Hygienists Towards Issues Relevant To The Independent Practice Of Dental Hygiene, Linda Hawkins Mccain

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

Adequate studies have not been conducted to assess the attitudes of dental hygienists toward independent practice of dental hygiene. The purpose of this study was to investigate these attitudes. The method of investigation was a survey questionnaire designed by the principle investigator. The research results indicated weak support for the independent practice of dental hygiene. The support for general supervision of hygienists in Virginia and the desire to be allowed to practice in nontraditional settings was stronger. There was reported a very strong opposition to preceptorship in dental hygiene. The majority of Virginia dental hygienists agreed that they were educationally …

Factors Influencing Dental Hygiene Job Retention In The Private Practice Setting, Kristin A. Hamman

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what role the following factors have in influencing dental hygienists to remain in a private practice employment setting for five or more years: (1) working conditions, (2) the employer and the organizational structure of the employment setting, (3) scope of practice, and (4) personal factors. A random sample of 1200 licensed dental hygienists in 12 states was surveyed (100/state). Only dental hygienists working in one private practice setting for a minimum of five years completed the questionnaire; nonpracticing dental hygienists returned the questionnaire unanswered. A 69.9 percent response rate was established. Of …

Faculty Standardization Of Dental Hygiene Instrumentation Skill Evaluation: A Calibration Exercise, Diane-Marie Smela

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Faculty must be standardized so that student skills are assessed in an unbiased, equal fashion. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of calibration on dental hygiene faculty standardization. Examples of correct and incorrect instrumentation skill performance were demonstrated and discussed during the calibration exercise. Groups simultaneously viewed instrumentation skills while assessing correct or incorrect performance. Group standardization was determined through analysis of answer key agreement, intra-rater reliability, and inter-rater reliability. Data were statistically analyzed through the use of a z-test for both answer key agreement and inter-rater reliability, and chi-square (x²) for inter-rater reliability …

Preventative Oral Health Services Provided By Nurses' Aides To Nursing Home Residents, Deborah Lewis Hardy

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purposes of this investigation were to identify: 1) what preventive oral health services were provided by nurses' aides to nursing home residents, 2) how frequent preventive oral health services were performed by nurses' aides, 3) who nurses' aides reported abnormal or suspicious findings detected in the resident's mouth, 4) what factors discouraged and encouraged nurses' aides performance of oral health services, and 5) how nurses' aides rated their oral health knowledge of services they performed. The study population was comprised of a random sample of 40 percent of nursing home facilities in southeastern Virginia. A 14-item questionnaire was administered …

Short-Term Effects Of The PoliswabR On Supramarginal Bacterial Plaque Removal And Gingival Health In A Spinal Cord Unit Population, Beth Elaine Mckinney

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the short-term efficacy of a mechanical device (Poliswab^R) on supramarginal bacterial plaque removal and gingival health. The sample consisted of 15 residents in a spinal cord unit at the Hampton Veterans' Affairs Medical Center. A single blind, split-mouth, pretest-posttest design was used in the study with each subject serving as his own control. Over a two week period, each participant had his teeth cleaned once daily by a dental hygienist using a Poliswab^R containing sodium bicarbonate and dentifrice on one side of the mouth and a toothbrush without dentifrice …

Promoting Careers In Dental Hygiene: The Dental Hygienist's Role, Taline Dadian

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether practicing dental hygienists promote their profession as a desirable career. A self-designed, 48 item questionnaiire, Dental Hygienists' Participation in Career Recruitment, was mailed to a random sample of 600 dental hygienists residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Data were obtained from 393 dental hygienists for a 65.5 percent response rate. Responses from each item were analyzed by frequency distributions, percentages and chi-square test for independence at a 0.05 level of confidence. The factors determined to influence dental hygienists' decisions towards promoting careers in dental hygiene included the perceived image of the …

Effects Of Ultrasonic Scaling And Hand Scaling On Root Typography, Kim Lee Herremans

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of scaling and root planing with the modified P-10 Cavitron^R tip and curet instruments on root surface topography. Sample specimens included 20 periodontally involved extracted human teeth. Specimens were carved into a three split root design, each sample specimen acting as its own control. Control and experimental surfaces were randomly assigned to each specimen. Scaling techniques were applied on the assigned experimental surfaces for 2 minutes and 14 seconds. A scanning electron microscope was used to examine and micrograph root surface topography of experimental surfaces. Photomicrographs were evaluated using …

Dental Hygiene Manpower Distribution In Virginia, Christine Ann Nielsen

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investig~tion was to conduct a comprehensive dental hygiene manpower study in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Data were collected to establish the present number of dental hygienists and dentists in Virginia; the estimated number of practicing and nonpracticing dental hygienists and dentists in Virginia; and the past, present and forecasted employment opportunities for dental hygienists in Virginia. Primary and secondary data were collected via professional associations, state regulatory boards, health agencies, employment and educational commissions and labor statistics bureaus. Frequency distributions were used to analyze the data. Results suggest that there is an adequate supply of dental …

Job Satisfaction Among Three Different Dental Hygiene Occupational Settings, Ruth Halstead Hull

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

A survey was conducted to determine differences in job satisfaction which may exist among dental hygienists employed in private practice positions, public health positions, and dental hygiene education positions. A modified version of the questionnaire developed by the Washington State Dental Auxiliaries Project was mailed to all public health dental hygienists, all dental hygiene educators, and a randomized sample containing ten percent of private practice employed dental hygienists residing in North Carolina for a total of 334 participants. From a 76 percent response rate, results indicated that dental hygiene educators feel more satisfied overall than private practice dental hygienists and …

Survey Of Attitudes Of Licensed Dental Hygienists Toward Continuing Education In A State With Mandatory Continuing Education Versus A State Without Mandatory Continuing Education, Katharine Reeves Behroozi

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to compare attitudes of licensed dental hygienists toward continuing education (CE) in two states: Kentucky, a state with mandatory continuing education (MCE) as a requirement for dental hygiene re-licensure and Virginia, a state without MCE for dental hygiene re-licensure. A self-designed, 28-item instrument, Continuing Education Attitudinal Questionnaire, was mailed to a stratified and random sample of 400 licensed dental hygienists in Kentucky and Virginia. Employing the chi-square test for independence, analysis of results revealed that Kentucky participants responded more affirmatively than Virginia participants to attitudinal statements regarding CE, particularly in areas of MCE, benefits …

The Effectiveness Of Oral Health Computer Assisted Instruction On Increasing The Oral Hygiene Status Of Children, Claudia Ann Michalak

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

This study investigates the effectiveness of computer assisted instruction on the oral hygiene status of children. Over a one month period, as measured by the Personal Hygiene Performance Index, sixty-five fifth grade students participated in one of three intact groups: oral health computer assisted instruction, traditional oral health instruction, or no oral health instructions. Oral health instructions were identical in content for computer assisted and traditional lecture formats. During pretest evaluations, students were presented with a dental kit containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and an oral health instruction pamphlet. The Personal Hygiene Performance Index was performed on each student prior …

Clinical Effects Of Daily Rotary Electric Toothbrushing On The Presence Of Gingivitis And Supragingival Dental Plaque, Laura Jean Mueller

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if statistically significant differences existed in the gingival health of subjects who brushed with a rotary electric toothbrush (Rota-dent^R when compared to a conventional toothbrush (Oral B-35^R). A randomized, two group research design was employed using forty subjects. At baseline and at two week intervals for six weeks, gingivitis and supragingival dental plaque were measured by the Loe and Silness Gingival Index and the O'Leary Plaque Index, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the Rota-dent^R was superior to the conventional toothbrush in reducing dental plaque accumulation and equally effective …

Effects Of Air Polishing And Rubber Cup Polishing On Enamel Abrasion, April Kee

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

An investigation was conducted to determine if statistically significant differences in enamel abrasion occurred when molar specimens were air polished (AP) and rubber cup polished (RCP). Thirty human molars were randomly divided into two groups. Molar buccal surfaces were masked longitudinally to provide control surfaces. Each polishing technique was applied for two minutes and thirty seconds on fifteen exposed enamel surfaces. Buccal enamel surfaces were divided into coronal and cervical sections for microscopic review. Six enamel thickness measurements were determined for each coronal and cervical enamel section using the scanning electron microscope. Measurements of AP and RCP coronal and cervical …

Effectiveness Of A Hydrogen Peroxide, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate Dentifrice Upon Microbiota Associated With Periodontitis, Jill M. Modi

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a hydrogen peroxide, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate dentifrice upon quantitative changes in the sulcular microbial species Bacteroides melaninogenicus and in the gingival condition and plaque accumulation associated with periodontitis. Fifteen subjects from the Hampton Veteran's Administration Medical Center w e r e selected according to a standard criteria. Split mouth experimental design was used. One arch of each patient was assigned randomly to periodontal instrumentation. Half the mouth then was assigned randomly an experimental or a control dentifrice to be utilized once daily. culture analysis, the Gingival Index and …

Clinical Effectiveness Of ListerineR And ViadentR Mouthrinses On Bacterial Plaque And Gingivitis, Debra Pizzola Powell

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of two commercial mouth rinses, Listerine^R and Viadent^R, on bacterial plaque and gingivitis. over a sixweek period, 24 adults, ages 18-41, were examined for the amount of bacterial plaque and level of gingivitis using Silness and toe's Plaque Index (PLI) and Gingival Index (GI). At the beginning of each two week period, subjects were examined for the amount of plaque and level of gingivitis and given a different mouthrinse: appointment one--viadent^R (mouthrinse A), appointment two--placebo mouthrinse (mouthrinse B), and appointment three--Listerine^R (mouthrinse C). Additionally, subjects …

The Short Term Effect Of A Dental Health Fair On Children's Attitudes Toward Plaque Control, Fluorides, Nutrition, And Receiving Dental Treatment, Sue Nell Bethea

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a significant difference exists between dental health attitudes of children who are exposed to a dental health fair and children who are not exposed to a dental health fair. All consenting students, in grades four through six . from two Hampton public schools, completed a Dental Health Questionnaire designed to assess attitudes toward dental health. One day after the experimental group participated in the dental health fair, both groups were post-tested using the same questionnaire. Two weeks after the dental health fair, an identical posttest was readministered to both groups. Two-way …

Clinical Effectiveness Of Hydrogen Peroxide-Sodium Bicarbonate Paste On Human Periodontitis Treated With And Without Scaling And Root Planing, Sylvia M. Lyne

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the main and interaction effects of two oral hygiene regimens and periodontal instrumentation on the periodontal health status of subjects between the ages of 18 and 70 over a two-month period. The sample consisted of 16 subjects with moderate periodontitis. A split-mouth design was used; subjects brushed with fluoridated toothpaste on one side of the mouth and brushed with a hydrogen peroxide-sodium bicarbonate paste on the contralateral side. For each treatment, scaling and root planing were randomly assigned to one arch. At two-week intervals, the periodontal health status was measured using the …

A Survey Of Burnout Among Dental Hygiene Educators, Sandra Boggs Ricks

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

A survey was conducted on 159 full-time dental hygiene educators in order to collect data on job satisfaction, morale, and perceived institutional/program effectiveness. Educators were chosen for the study by cluster sampling from two- and four-year accredited dental hygiene programs in the United States. The programs were selected at random from stratified groups according to type of institutional setting. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire which contained four major sections: demographic data, job satisfaction, institutional/program effectiveness, and feelings related to their position. Findings were analyzed utilizing contingency tables and Chi-Square analysis. No attempt was made to establish a cause …

Orthodontists' Attitudes Toward Expanding Career Opportunities For The Dental Hygienist In Orthodontics, Julie A. Foster

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this survey was to determine attitudes of orthodontists toward employing dental hygienists. A self-designed, 33 item questionnaire was used to obtain descriptive data. The questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of orthodontists chosen from the United States portion of the Orthodontic Directory of the World (N=500). Data were obtained from 298 orthodontists for a 58.6 percent response rate.

The study suggests that although orthodontists believe dental hygienists are important oral health professionals (96.2 percent) and important parts of the orthodontic practice (32.6 percent), only 10.9 percent of orthodontists surveyed employ dental hygienists. Factors determined to be …

Admissions Criteria As Predictors Of Students' Successful Completion Of A Dental Hygiene Program, M. Linda Brown

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the criteria used to select dental hygiene students and to determine the ability of these criteria to predict students' successful completion of a dental hygiene program. One hundred sixteen graduates of the certificate level dental hygiene program at Old Dominion University between 1971- 1981, inclusive, comprised the sample. The majority of the subjects were Caucasian females, ages 20 to 24. The admissions criteria examined were (1) Dental Hygiene Aptitude Test scores, (2) Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, (3) preadmission quality point average, (4) college chemistry quality point average, and (S) percentile rank in …

Dental Hygiene Students' Perceptions About The Behavioral Characteristics Of The Effective Clinical Teacher, Frances Gaby Carson

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

A descriptive research approach and a self-designed questionnaire were used to obtain information about the effective clinical teacher as perceived by first and second year dental hygiene students. The Effective Teaching Behaviors Questionnaire was reviewed critically by several Old Dominion University dental hygiene faculty who's comments were used for revision. Once revisions were made, a pilot study was conducted on a sample of Old Dominion University dental hygiene students to determine the reliability and validity of the instrument.

The sample consisted of the entire student population of five accredited dental hygiene programs: three baccalaureate degree university programs and two associate …

Old Dominion University Master Of Science In Dental Hygiene Degree Program: Graduate And Employer Survey, Deborah Blythe Bauman

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to survey Old Dominion University dental hygiene master's degree graduates and their employers to assess the overall quality of the graduates' education. Individuals who graduated between May 1976 and December 1981 (N =29) were sent a self-designed questionnaire to obtain evaluative data about the ODU dental hygiene master's degree program. The graduates were asked to identify strengths and weaknesses of the ODU master's degree program, the role competencies required for their current position, and the degree to which they were prepared for their current job by the master's degree program. Concurrently, employers were asked …

Aseptic Techniques Currently Used In Dental Hygiene Clinics Within Accredited Dental Hygiene Programs, Jan Shaner Greenlee

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this survey was to assess the aseptic techniques currently used in 197 accredited dental hygiene programs in the United States. A self-designed, 51-item questionnaire examined the aseptic techniques used in: (1) preparation of the dental hygiene clinic and unit, (2) instrument preparation, (3) preparation of the student practitioner, (4) preparation of the patient, (5) preparation of radiographic equipment, and (6) treatment of the hepatitis patient.

The questionnaire and a letter of transmittal were mailed to the clinical supervisor of each accredited dental hygiene program. Data were obtained from 173 returned questionnaires and analyzed via modal and percentage …

Relationship Between The Empathy Levels Of Dental Hygiene Students And Their Teachers, Claudia Hudak Sanderlin

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

This investigation assessed empathy in first year, second year, and graduate dental hygiene students, and dental hygiene educators. Change in empathy levels of students and educators over one academic year was determined by taking repeated measures of the dependent variable, empathy, as measured by the Hogan Empathy Scale, A convenience sample of subjects from two universities was included in this study.

Empathy scores were compared and analyzed by a three-way analysis of variance at the .05 level of significance and also three separate one-way analyses, Results established that graduate students and educators score significantly higher in empathy than first and …

Effects Of The Dental Hygiene Curriculum On Student Creativity, Linda Kathryn Martin

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

This investigation examined the influence of the dental hygiene curriculum on student creativity throughout the two years of dental hygiene study. A secondary purpose was to determine if various accredited dental hygiene programs differentially affect creativity in students. Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking was used to measure creativity in students from three dental hygiene programs in Virginia. Data were organized according to a 3 X 4 factorial research design, using dental hygiene programs and academic semester levels as attribute independent variables. Fluency, Flexibility, Originality and Total scores of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking were the dependent variables.

Two-way analysis …

Short-Term Effect Of Preventative Oral Health Services On Drug Rehabilitation Clients' Self Concept, Susan Elizabeth Jones

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if a statistically significant difference existed in self concept prior to and following preventive oral health services in clients undergoing drug rehabilitation. Individuals residing at the Drug Dependency Treatment Program Unit at McGuire Veterans Administration Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, comprised the control and experimental groups.

Data were organized according to a randomized groups, pretest-posttest design with preventive oral health services as the active independent variable. The dependent variables, Total Positive Score, Self Satisfaction Score, and Physical Self Score were measured by the Tennessee Self Concept Scale.

One grouping factor, one trial factor …