Dental Hygiene Commons^™

Dental Hygienists' Views On Salivary Diagnostics, Julie Justice

Dental Hygiene ETDs

This study assessed dental hygienists’ views on salivary diagnostic testing in the United States, including awareness, utilization, perceived barriers, and whether years of experience, clinical setting, or education level influenced these views. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect data via an 18-item email survey distributed through the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s mailing list. Eligible participants were licensed dental hygienists currently practicing in the United States. The survey included demographic items and Likert-scale questions on knowledge, clinical use, perceived value, and limitations of salivary diagnostic testing. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency distributions and Spearman correlations. Despite …

J Am Coll Dent 2026 92 2a

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This special issue of the Journal of the American College of Dentists responds to a growing but long-underrecognized demand for humanities and ethics in dental education, practice, and scholarship. It emerges from the work of the National Collaborative on Humanities and Ethics in Dentistry (NCHED), a multi-institutional partnership formed in 2023 to address the persistent exclusion of dentistry from broader health humanities conversations. Through national webinars and scholarly collaboration, NCHED has demonstrated substantial interest in ethical reflection, historical analysis, narrative inquiry, and the arts as essential to understanding oral health and dental care. The unexpectedly strong response to the call …

Tongue Posture And Effects On Overall Health: A Dental Hygiene Curriculum Assessment, Kelly Brackeen

Dental Hygiene ETDs

Research shows that proper tongue posture can impact quality of life, stability of the mouth, and have effects on overall wellness. Dental hygienists have a unique position to be able to identify tongue placement disorders. The objective of this study was to identify to what extent dental hygiene students are being taught orofacial myofunction during dental hygiene education. A survey link was emailed to all program directors in the United States regarding the teaching of orofacial myofunction within their respective programs. Using descriptive analysis, 44%, or less than half reported that their program curriculum includes teaching students proper resting position …

Antibacterial Efficacy Of Novel Eastern Medicine-Inspired Toothpastes Compared To Commercial Formulations, Joshua S. Goldfaden

Pacific Journal of Health

Toothpaste is an oral health care agent that dates back to the 5^th Century B.C. in East Asia. Following the conception of dentistry in the 7^th Century B.C. and the field’s subsequent growth, the embodiment of toothpaste has evolved from containing natural substances such as tea leaves to abrasive chemicals, particularly: fluoride, triclosan, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Regarding how each respective reagent functions, fluoride forms a complex with calcium ions in the teeth to prevent erosion of the protective enamel coating. This ion also disrupts metabolic activities of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), which are the …

The Ethics Of Using A Live Patient For Dental Board Exams, Aaliyah Gibbs, Ashley Christ

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objective: This study will discuss the various viewpoints regarding the ethics of using a live patient for board examination in dentistry. It will expand upon the inconsistency of the exam to include the compromised patient care, dishonorable delay in care needed so students can perform care during boards, the dignity of both the student and the patient that is paid to agree to be subject to such procedures, and the potential and irreversible harm caused to these patients. The research in this paper will explore various options for obtaining a license for clinical boards in dentistry and dental hygiene in …

Oral Development And Breastfeeding: An Assessment Of The Lactation Care Provider Approach, Robin Gatlin

Dental Hygiene ETDs

Breastfeeding influences the infant’s oral development in many ways. Lactation care providers work closely with the mother-infant pair and may be the first to provide information on oral health. The purpose of this study is to assess lactation care provider’s perception, attitude and behavior on the relationship between breastfeeding and oral development; including oral malocclusion, breathing patterns, tethered oral tissues and dental caries. A survey sent to lactation care providers who are members of The United States Lactation Consultant Association. A total of 12 members participated in the survey. Of that, 11 were International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) and …

Poor Ergonomics And Neck Flexion: Evaluating The Prevalence Of Musculoskeletal Neck Pain In Dental Hygiene Students, Justine E. Stambaugh

Dental Hygiene ETDs

Proper ergonomics are important to minimize operator fatigue and discomfort. Poor ergonomics has been proven to be the leading factor in developing musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most important occupational health issues. Studies have been conducted in the past to investigate dental professionals and the risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders and found this occupational group at higher risk. However, research on dental hygiene students is lacking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental hygiene students being affected by musculoskeletal pain in the neck region in early dental hygiene education and if …

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems: Vaping Away Gum Tissue, Christina Tulloch, Denise Thieleman

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objective: Conventional cigarettes have shown severe toxicity on immune cells and wound healing in the periodontium, but little is known about the comparative effects of vaping or electronic cigarettes. In a substantial shift away from conventional cigarettes, vaping and e-cigarette sales have increased nearly 600% since 2017. If current conventional cigarette users are to transition to a less detrimental alternative, the evidence must demonstrate if electronic nicotine delivery systems can be deemed safer than conventional options.

Methods: By compiling data from the PubMed database, the most recent perspectives on new smoking methods and effects of usage on periodontal tissues were …

Perceptions And Clinical Applications Of Feedback Type If Dental Hygiene, Elmer Eleazar Gonzalez

Individual, Family, and Community Education ETDs

Purpose/Objectives: The study assesses whether or not feedback type and feedback delivery method play a significant role in students’ learning and clinical performance. The study explores Ego Stroking Sandwich feedback and Non-Sandwich feedback as the feedback types and Instructors feedback vs. Scoring guide feedback as the feedback delivery method. Students’ perceptions and clinical applications were considered as part of the study.

Methods: Eleven participants were included in the study. One group was the Ego Stroking Sandwich type feedback (n=5) and the other was the Non-Sandwich Type feedback (n=6). Each group performed two dental impressions (a maxillary and a mandibular) while …

The Impact Of Transfer Shock In A Dental Hygiene Program At A Four-Year Health-Sciences University, Claire Sallee Tucker

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In order for a student to be successful in dental hygiene education, the student must gain the required knowledge and skills necessary to perform as a hygienist and possess the ability to utilize critical thinking to apply these attributes while in the program and on the National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) (Alzahrani, Thompson, & Bauman, 2007; Fried, Maxey, Battani, Gurenlian, Byrd, & Brunick, 2017). Dental hygiene students who attend a medical university have the option to take required pre-requisite courses at a community college or a four-year university. All dental hygiene students transfer from another institution and all …

Investigation Of Whether Determining A Patients Personality Results In Better Patient Communication And Oral Health, Cynthia E. Chavez

Dental Hygiene ETDs

One of the dental psychosomatic territories is the link between personality traits and oral health treatment. This present study aims at investigating whether determination of patient personality types leads to enhanced communication between dental hygienists and patients resulting in improved oral health. Some hypothesize that determining patient personality traits results in enhanced communication between the patient and the dental hygienist. Similarly, it is hypothesized that determination of a patient’s personality trait can result in better oral health.

The Practice Of Dental Hygiene Internationally, Elisha Marcella Parraz

Dental Hygiene ETDs

The purpose of this research is to evaluate how dental hygiene is practiced, taught and valued in twenty six countries internationally as compared to the United States.

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2015, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2015 dental hygiene class: Cristina Comandasu, SADHA representative; Kayla Bushor, historian; Kristen Ray, secretary; Ann Marie Adcock, vice president; Kyndall Hudson, president; Claire Warren, treasurer; Courtney Shearon, historian; Sara Brown, class representative; Lienne Shing, SADHA representative; Madison Hayden, class representative; Chelsea Howell, class representative; Erika Burke, Paige Culbreth, Hayley Daugherty, Megan Garrison, Christina Guthrie, Tori Harper, Allison McCutchen, Hayley Middleton, Kaitlyn Murtagh, Laruen Owen, Natalie Reece, Lauren Saunders, Victoria Smith, Summer Stringer, Samantha Ulrich and Rebecca Ziolkowski.

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2014, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2014 dental hygiene class: Whitney Frey, SADHA representative, Amy Broadrick, historian; Julie Howard, secretary; Holly Bond, president; Maggie Day vice president; Kristin Mudd, treasurer; Brooke McNeal, historian; Samantha Miller, SADHA representative; Holly Doss, class representative; Caitlin Stephens class representative; Carrie Arnold, Tiffani Bennett, Morgan Browning, Angelia Calvo, Whiteny Elmore, Adela Granulo, Tina Keown, Sarah McDermott, Allison Miller, Jenna Partin, Paige Phillips, Lindsey Saling, Carolyn Smith, Tracy Smith, Jennifer St. John and Bridget Whitsitt.

Local Anesthesia In Dental Hygiene Education, Aleisha Crista Matern

Dental Hygiene ETDs

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the following: 1. What is the level of education in local anesthesia/pain control courses for dental hygiene programs in the United States. 2. Does the level of local anesthesia/pain control education have a direct correlation to the level of degree offered at its respective program? 3. Is there a need to develop a nationally recognized standard for local anesthesia/pain control courses in dental hygiene programs? Methods: A survey was sent via an online survey distributor to dental hygiene programs in the United States. The participants in this survey were either the …

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2013, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2013 dental hygiene class: Courtney Bell, SADHA representative; Kayla Ferrell, historian; Brooke Yokley, secretary; Ashton Pyles, president; Autumn Markwell, vice president; Ashley Burden, treasurer; Emily White, historian; Shanna Moore, SADHA representative; Sara Jeffers, class representative; Brooklynn Smith, class representative; Loren Bevier, Lara Boothe, Catilin Bowen, Railey Cardwell, Hillary Curd, Kayci Freeman, Kenzie Gaines, Christine Guire, Kellie Hawkins, Brittany Hendricks, Jade Johnson, Miranda Kingsbury, Ali Omer, Allison Riedling, Tara Sherfey, Emiley Smiley, Amanda Williams and Mindy Woosley.

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2012, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2012 dental hygiene class: Nikki Kennedy, class representative; Ashley O'Bannon, historian, Kelsey Morrison, secretary; Courtney Jamison, vice president; Alyssa Nantz, president; Sarah Lynch, treasurer; Hannah Murrey, historian; Alicia Azimipour, SADHA representative; Christie Woods, class representative; Lyndi Adler, Kelly Daughters, Casey Frost, Kayla Ginn, Deanna Gipson, Azra Hajrick, Kayla Jenkins, Samantha Johnson, Chad Jones, Brittney Kennedy, Kristen McCubbins, Jessica Mounce, Mikell Nelson, Morgan Poore, Whitney Rion, Devon Russell, Heather Sprouse and Traci Walker.

Ua1c11/47 Wku Dental Hygiene Photo Collection, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Photographs of WKU dental hygiene graduates removed from Junior American Dental Hygienist's Association scrapbooks as well as class composites.

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2011, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2011 dental hygiene class: Eiman Al Eissa, historian; Johanna Higdon, vice president; Mandy Lowry, president; Kristina Marshall, treasurer; Leslie West, historian; Audrey Bateman, SDHA representative; Samantha Sarisky, secretary; Elizabeth Brussell, SDHA representative; Stacy Allen, Tabitha Allen, Alyssa Bishop, Kenya Brown, Kristi Bunting, Svetlana Deffin, Sarah Dudak, Jessica Durrant, Megan Elsenboss, Elizabeth Henry, Nicole Hopper, Heather Hunt, Angela Jaworsky, Catherine Morgan, Laura Newton, Thao Nguyen, Julie Swearingen, Brittany Wade, Kate Wakeling, Brittany Warner and Amanda White.

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2010, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2010 dental hygiene class: Jennifer Born, historian; Erica Clark, vide president; Derek Sanders, president; Erin Bertone, treasurer; Lindsay Stagner, historian; Ashlee Marshall, SADHA representative; Leah Flanders, class representative; Brittany Grimes, secretary; Nichole Cooke, class representative; Emily Murrell, SADHA representative; Michelle Birchfield, , Ashlee Boyd, Sasha Buck, Aubrey Cannon, Millicent Heil, Lynsey Huguenot, Brandon Hurt, Sarah Keftner, Erika LaFollette, Stacey Marshall, Chelsea Meyer, Laura Payne, Alicia Russell, Courtney Smith, Melissa Stauble, Lauren Stone and Heather Woolwine.

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2009, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2009 dental hygiene class: Erin Johnson, historian; Janet Hughes, secretary; Ellen Kington, vice president; Danielle Cook, president; Kelsea Carney, treasurer; Abigail Hensley historian; Lauren Stephens SADHA representative; Kristin James, class representative; Katie Davidson, class representative; Kimberly Barnes, Heather Brunner, Callie Cline, Holly Dorsey, Kasey England, Amanda Gaddes, Allison Genton, Rebecca Hobbs, Leslie Locke, Lisa Maynard, Ann Marie Nejedly, Jenny Perry, Nikita Powell, Sarah Ramsey and Mandy Stinson.

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2008, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2008 dental hygiene class: Michele Bacalan, historian; Kelli Morris, treasurer; Mollie Clark, vice president; Ahsley Hendrix, president; Andrea Wilder, secretary; Casey Bostick, SADHA representative; Ashli Slover, SADHA representative; Brandi Brainard, historian; Liz Gilliam, class representative; Mallory Pace, class representative; Catherine Black, Tina Foley, Page Hamilton, Kelly Huggins, Rachel Kaelin, Cheri Kimble, Megan Morgan, Bethany Oldham, Beth Phillips, Lauren Phillips, Emily Salyer, Kellye Tenpenny, Chelsea West and Courtney White.

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2007, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2007 dental hygiene class: Lindsey Engler, historian; Kandess Thomas, secretary; Michelle Minton, vice president; Toynika Bailey, president; Vickie Froedge, treasurer; Kara Ford, SADA representative; Ashley Reed, historian; Alison Steele, class representative; Katie Crandall, class representative; Ricki Jo Fonfara, class representative; Kirby Mercer, Kasey Gabhart, Joie Gosser, Kristin Davis, Margaret Howard, Leslie Seals, Brittany Tackett, Amanda Roach, Marcie Carr, Angeline Ferris, Casie Nguyen, Lindsey King, Katharine Miles and Brooke Cox.

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2006, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2006 dental hygiene class: Elizabeth Allen, representative; Leslie Calvert, treasurer; Carolyn Boll, vice president; Ashlee York, president; Maegan Summers, secretary; Sharna Lee, SADHA representative; Riley Dever, representative; Andrea Wilkins, historian; Lindey Morris, historian; Crystal Logan, Emily Lang, Rebecca Wells, Tasha Higdon, Cassidy Williamson, Ashley Rogers, Trish Woodrum, Heather Francis, Trisha Gothrup and Cindy Sanders.

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2005, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2005 dental hygiene class: Crystal Green, historian; Alex Aikman, historian; Amy Murray, treasurer; Bethany Dowdy, president; Alissa Frost, vice president; Cara Goforth, secretary; Carly Hubbard, SADHA representative; Jenny Caldwell, class representative; Emilee Payne, class representative; Linlee Allen, Catherine Bowles, Wendy Bruton, Shena Decker, Kendra Gentry, Brooke Holmes, Laura Latourette, Andrea Lindsey, Danielle Meredith, Terri Pickerell, Alexis Rieck, Sara Skelton, Jessica Spears and Emily Wood.

Ua60/5 Wku Dental Hygiene Class Of 2004, Wku Dental Hygiene

WKU Administration Documents

Members of the 2004 dental hygiene class: Heather Stone, fundraising chairman; Leslie Johnson, treasurer, Sarah Canty, secretary; Miki Hopkins, president; Stephanie Riehn, vice president; Penny Small, class representative; Lori Doss, class representative; Tyra Lindsey, historian, Erin Taylor, SADHA representative, Joanna Davis, SADHA representative, Stacey Chappius, historian; Cassie Alfrejd, Jamie Brawner, Lindsay Christy, Karen Dodson, Kristie Duncan, Jamie Green, Karrie McGrath, Jennifer Pace, Amy Pardue, Melanie Gutierrez, Cyndi Walker and Desirae Wilson.

Ua66/4/3 Scrapbook, Wku Class Of 1983

Student Organizations

Scrapbook created by the Dental Hygiene Class of 1983. It contains biographical sketches and photographs of the group which includes Tamela Aldredge, Linda Allen, Teresa Barber, Carol Bennett, Roberta Bentley, Kristine Brewer, Doris Coomes, Kim Dean, Donna Ferguson, Stacey Hunter, Lillian King, Lisa Metzger, Susan Moore, Marianne Pieck, Darla Shell, Sherry Smith, Lisa Talbott and Elizabeth Tillman.