Dental Hygiene Commons^™

Revising A Clinical Assessment Tool: A Community College Dental Hygiene Program Case Study, Kristen Portner-Lauerman Dhsc, Mha, Rdh

Oral Health

This article examines how one community college dental hygiene program implemented revisions to a clinical assessment tool to better support novice learners. A review of the literature explores the characteristics of early learners, psychomotor skill acquisition, the Dreyfus model, and assessment tools. The method used was a descriptive case study designed to address the research question: What processes did a dental hygiene program use to implement revisions to a clinical assessment tool to support students’ development of essential clinical skills? The findings highlight the importance of aligning assessment tools with learners’ developmental stages to enhance clinical education and offer a …

The Mouth As A Mirror: A Parent- Hygienist’S Ethical Reflections On Oral Healthcare And Pompe Disease, Anika Atkins Ma, Rdh

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This reflective narrative explores the ethical tensions and emotional realities of a dental hygienist who is also the parent of a child with Pompe disease. Drawing from personal experience and care ethics philosophy, the author examines how traditional clinical frameworks—centered on autonomy, beneficence, and protocol— often fall short when addressing the needs of medically fragile children. The piece weaves in the work of care ethicists and pastoral ministry to embrace the philosophy of caregiving as presence, to suggest that oral healthcare must evolve to include responsiveness, context, and relationship-based decision-making. Through the dual lens of provider and parent, the narrative …

Leading The Way In Pediatric Oral Health Promotion, Denise C. Mckinney

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Dental hygienists promote oral health and provide preventive services to patients throughout their lifespan. The Commission on Dental Accreditation, Dental Hygiene Standards emphasize that graduates must be competent in providing dental hygiene care for all patient populations, including children.¹ In fact, promoting pediatric oral health begins prior to birth with the expectant mother and/or caregiver. Oral health care to include education is essential during pregnancy; specifically, around the prevention and treatment of dental caries for the mother and the unborn child.² In the U.S., from 2013-2016, roughly 30% of women aged 20-44 years had untreated dental caries.³ Expectant mothers …

Integration Of Oral Health Assessment In Medicare Visits: A Survey Of Primary Care Physicians In Montana And Their Role In Patients Aged 65+, Cheyenne R. Smith

Dental Hygiene ETDs

The integration of oral health assessments into primary care settings has been strongly advocated to enhance access to care for elderly individuals. Medical and dental professionals recognize the critical connection between oral health and systemic health. Physicians can play a key role in enhancing oral health care by incorporating an oral health assessment into routine general health appointments, such as the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). Physicians in Montana were invited to participate in an anonymous study to gather their opinions on conducting oral health assessments in primary care settings, identify barriers to providing these assessments, and evaluate their knowledge …

A Developmental Evaluation Of A Dental Hygiene Program And A Community Health Partnership, Laura Jacob

Higher Education: Doctoral Research Projects

Today, dental hygiene education commonly occurs in community college settings which are removed from dental schools thus dental hygiene students graduate with relatively little to no exposure to dentistry or directly with a clinically practicing dentist. With dental hygiene workforce shortages at an extremely high level, locally and nationally, it is imperative to matriculate students who are poised to be successful in the changing landscape of healthcare.

The purpose of this program evaluation was to investigate via the developmental program evaluation model, the perceived benefits of a potential collaboration between the Colorado Mountain College (CMC) dental hygiene program and a …

Dental Hygiene Program Feasibility In Kailua Kona, Hawaii, William Li, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Establishing a dental hygiene program in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, could address critical gaps in local healthcare but requires careful consideration of its feasibility given the significant costs involved. This literature review assesses existing studies to understand the potential for success, focusing on effective recruitment and retention strategies that have been implemented in other rural and underserved regions. Findings reveal that communities worldwide face similar challenges in attracting healthcare providers to remote areas, with successful programs often integrating mandatory externships to encourage healthcare workers to experience and engage with underserved communities. Given Hawaii’s diverse ethnic makeup, insights from cross-cultural and global …

Assessing Dental Hygiene Students’ Perspectives: A Survey Of Curriculum Adequacy For Interdisciplinary Settings In U.S. Dental Hygiene Programs, Brittany Elaine Tripp

Dental Hygiene ETDs

This study investigated whether dental hygiene programs implement interdisciplinary care into their curriculum and assessed student preparedness for working in interdisciplinary settings. The study also aimed to identify student preferences for various interdisciplinary care settings. A survey was developed and distributed via email to program directors of accredited dental hygiene programs across the United States. Those programs directors were asked to forward the survey to currently enrolled final-year students. Out of eighty-two responses received, 16 were excluded because those respondents were not final-year dental hygiene students. Sixty-six participants were considered eligible for the survey (n=66). The results indicate that most …

Dental Hygiene Program Admission Criteria Key Indicators To National Board Success, Kacy Goetz

Dental Hygiene ETDs

The study evaluates the admission criteria of entry-level dental hygiene programs in the United States and their relationship to National Dental Hygiene Board Examination (NDHBE) success rates. An online survey was distributed to 327 programs, gathering data on admission criteria and NDHBE outcomes through a 16-question Microsoft Forms survey. With a response rate of 16% (53 respondents), the survey found that GPA was the most common admission criterion used by 92% of programs. The results indicated a strong negative correlation between high school GPA and NDHBE success. The study also evaluated NDHBE pass rates with board review courses taken. The …

Oral Health Education And Dental Care Access Of Families Of Children With Down Syndrome In New Mexico, Alayna Marissa Holcomb

Dental Hygiene ETDs

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the oral health education and dental care access of families of children with Down syndrome in New Mexico.

Methods: The data were gathered from a survey available to members of the Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network for 14 days containing 13 questions.

Results: The most reported age range for the individuals in care were 0-14 years at 41.6%. Most individuals with Down syndrome receive dental services every six months (62.5%) at a regular dental office (54.2%). Caregivers reported the individuals are taking 1-2 prescription medications (54.2%) and not aware of …

Having The Opportunity To Give Kids A Smile, Alianna Mbanda

A with Honors Projects

The author describes their experience working as a dental hygienist for the Parkland community event called Give Kids a Smile.

Lgbtq+ And Dental Education: Analyzing The Present And Recommendations For The Future, Colin M. Haley, Diana V. Macri, Herminio L. Perez, Scott B. Schwartz

Publications and Research

LGBTQ+ populations constitute increasing proportions of children, adolescents, and adults in the United States. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, this group suffers from health inequities, including oral health. The report “Oral Health: Advances and Challenges” identified the LGBTQ+ community as an underserved population which faces significant barriers in accessing oral health care. Coverage of LGBTQ+ topics in formal education settings in both dental schools and dental hygiene programs is scarce, which contributes to inequities within this group. Increasing curriculum content related to LGBTQ+ populations is of utmost importance to promote optimal patient-provider interactions while improving oral health outcomes. Ensuring equity …

Dean’S Report: University Of Michigan School Of Dentistry Advancing Dental Education And Oral Health Science Is Our Passion And Mission, Jan Hu Bds, Phd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The Dean of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Jan Hu’s annual report to our readers, highlights the school's dedication to dental education and oral health science. The report underscores the school's commitment to maintaining high standards in the face of changing times. Key Highlights:

1. Educational Normalcy: Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the school has returned to a sense of normalcy in educating DDS, dental hygiene, and graduate students. Stringent infection control measures are still in place.
2. Vibrant Research: The school's research endeavors remain strong, with over 200 papers, articles, and reviews published in prestigious academic journals …

Lgbtq+ And Dental Education: Analyzing The Present And Recommendations For The Future, Diana V. Macri, Colin Haley Dds, Herminio Perez Dmd, Scott Schwartz Dds

Publications and Research

LGBTQ+ populations constitute increasing proportions of children, adolescents, and adults in the United States. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, this group suffers from health inequities, including oral health. The report “Oral Health: Advances and Challenges” identified the LGBTQ+ community as an underserved population which faces significant barriers in accessing oral health care. Coverage of LGBTQ+ topics in formal education settings in both dental schools and dental hygiene programs is scarce, which contributes to inequities within this group. Increasing curriculum content related to LGBTQ+ populations is of utmost importance to promote optimal patient-provider interactions while improving oral health outcomes. Ensuring equity …

Precision Dentistry In Practice, Diana V. Macri

Publications and Research

A paradigm shift is necessary to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes. Precision medicine and precision dentistry may be able to shift the burden of disease and improve the nation’s oral and overall health.

Allied Dental Students' Dvi Learning Outcomes Following A Multimedia Module, Samantha Vest, Brenda Bradshaw, Marsha Voelker, Ann Bruhn, Tara L. Newcomb, Sinjini Sikdar

College of Health Sciences Posters

This pilot project assessed cognitive and affective learning outcomes of allied dental students following a disaster victim identification (DVI) multi-media learning module.

A convenience sample (n=41) of senior dental hygiene and dental assisting students from two institutions completed an IRB-exempt descriptive pretest/posttest study to assess cognitive and affective changes resulting from exposure to a multimedia DVI learning module of a PowerPoint presentation with audio/video recordings. After completing the learning module, participants were presented with 10 sets of mismatched antemortem (AM) and postmortem (PM) digital bitewing radiographs to test their cognitive ability to indicate identification matches. The pretest/posttest survey was a …

Use Of A Simulated-Virtual Training Module To Improve Dental Hygiene Students' Self-Reported Knowledge, Attitudes, And Confidence In Providing Care To Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study, Kimberly F. Cenzon, Ann M. Bruhn, Denise M. Claiborne, Jonna L. Bobzien

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder affecting an individual's ability to communicate, interact, behave, and learn. The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge, attitudes, and confidence of dental hygiene students in providing care to children with ASD as a mechanism for evaluating dental hygiene curricula for patients with special needs.

Methods: A simulated-virtual training (SVT) intervention was developed as an interactive approach for educating dental hygiene students on providing care to a child patient with ASD. The SVT intervention consisted of a scenario in which the clinician "interacted" with a child with ASD who was …

Cultivating Leadership Potential, Diana V. Macri

Publications and Research

Two dental hygienists expand their professional horizons through their work with the Hispanic Dental Association.

Oral Manifestations Of Tuberculosis, Diana V. Macri, Sandra Castellanos, Elvir Dincer

Publications and Research

This article will update the reader on tuberculosis and its oral manifestations.

After decades of decreasing incidence, tuberculosis resurgence is being seen in some global regions due to factors that include the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, increased immigration from countries with endemic tuberculosis, transmission of tuberculosis in crowded or unsanitary environments, and poor healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, this review is especially prescient considering the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Community Health Nursing In Ghana: Dental Hygiene, Alexis Llewellyn

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Dental hygiene is an important contributor to our overall health. Poor dental hygiene practices can lead to plaque buildup, cavities formation, tooth decay, and infection. Infection that began as a result of poor oral hygiene can spread to other parts of the body and cause more serious conditions to develop. Dental health is not a priority among Ghanaian residents and there is a need for updated, evidence based research about this topic. This literature review focuses on community health nursing in Ghana, Africa regarding dental hygiene of the pediatric population in this country. The primary focus is to compare the …

The Effects Of Sitting And Standing Hygiene On Posture In Dental Hygiene Students, Taylor Shay Kace

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Problem: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess biomechanical and postural impacts of sitting and standing independently during dental hygiene practice. Methods: A convenience sample of thirty-four second-year dental hygiene students with no history of musculoskeletal disorders were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to instrument one quadrant of the mouth on buccal or lingual surfaces while seated or standing during two independent research sessions. Two images per session, for a total of four images per participant, were taken to assess biomechanical demands of each posture using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool. The images …

Promote Ergonomic Health, Amber W. Hunt, Kimberly B. Lintag-Nguyen

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

A wide array of interventions and therapies is available to help dental hygienists stay healthy and reduce pain.

Assessment Of Public Health And School Based Health Rotations In Academic Dental Hygiene Programs, Ashley Marie Zuni

Dental Hygiene ETDs

The purpose of this study was to assess the education that dental hygiene students receive in practicing within schools and public health settings. The settings assessed were outside the classroom, student clinic and student rotation sites. Data were gathered by a survey/questionnaire created by Red Cap, through the University of New Mexico. The survey/questionnaire was available to participants for ten days and contained a total of 13 questions. The survey was sent to dental hygiene program directors within Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredited dental hygiene programs throughout the United States. Ninety-four responses were collected. Most educators hold a master’s …

Host Modulation And The Inflammatory Response, Carleigh Fraley, Jennifer Knox-Rodriguez, Diana V. Macri

Publications and Research

Host modulation therapy may be effective in controlling the immune response responsible for periodontal diseases.

Teledentistry: An Innovative Workforce Model For Dental Hygienists, Kayla T. Khau, Hannah H. Nguyen

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objective/Aims: This review of literature seeks to explore teledentistry as an alternative dental hygiene workforce model that places a dental hygienist in the role of the mid-level practitioner as part of a digitally-connected oral healthcare team. It will also emphasize the innovative methods of teledentistry giving better health care delivery to diverse populations.

Methods: The review of literature analyzed the conclusions and discussions of primary and secondary scholarly articles from PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and CINAHL. Specific key terms included teledentistry, telehealth, teleconsultation, dental hygiene, dentistry, workforce model, health care delivery. Articles included in this review were published within the …

The Role Of Dental Hygienist In Hpv Prevention And Education In Parents Of Adolescents, Kelsey Dore, Sari Sweet

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objectives/Aims: Today the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infects nearly 14 million people each year in the United States alone. HPV is responsible for several cancers, including oropharyngeal, which is currently on the rise. Each year an estimated 53,000 cases of oropharyngeal cancers are diagnosed, with 70% of the cases related to HPV. The significance of educating dental providers and patients of the correlations between HPV and oropharyngeal cancers involves increased prevention strategies in dental practices. The aim is to begin offering multi-level education to adolescents’ parent’s in routine dental care visits, in order to provide an innovative approach to reduce HPV-related …

Oral Rapid Hiv Testing In The Dental Setting: Experiences From Three Dental Hygiene Clinics, Anthony J. Santella, Petal Leuwaisee, Susan H. Davide, Hanna Horowitz, Bhuma Krishnamachari

Publications and Research

Background: Oral rapid HIV testing (ORHT) is implemented in the dental setting to make individuals aware of their possibly undiagnosed HIV infection. The testing process and characteristics of clients willing to receive ORHT has yet, however, to be systematically collected. Case description: Three dental hygiene clinics located in academic institutions implemented ORHT from March 2016 to April 2017. Results: 231 persons received ORHT; all had non-reactive results. Most had seen a primary care provider in the past year (n = 130), had had a previous ORHT (n = 111), and described themselves as extremely likely or likely to accept a …

Creating Oral Health Awareness: Happy Teeth Make Healthy Teeth, Roseanna M. Torres, Dirien Santos, Tatyana Aksaeva, Hanna Jo, Nastassia Liaushun, Anty Lam

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

To Repair Or Replace: That Is The Restorative Question, Juhstin M. Brown, Clement S. Augustus

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objective/Aims: During dental visits, patients spend the majority of their time with their dental hygienist. At these recall appointments the patient’s face-to-face time with the dentist may be short. At this part of the appointment the dentist may diagnose the need for restorative treatment for the patient. Part of the hygienist’s responsibility is to explain treatment options for teeth with restorative needs. The purpose of this review of literature is to provide both options for restoration of dentition to a functional/aesthetic state.

Methods: Studies pertaining to the topic were searched using PubMed database. Keywords used in the search were amalgam, …

Oral Health Care: An Autoethnography Reflecting On Dentistry's Collective Neglect And Changes In Professional Education Resulting In The Dental Hygienist Being The Prevention-Focused Primary Oral Health Care Provider, Maureen Patricia Mcweeney Harrington

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Many factors influence poor oral health among disadvantaged populations including socioeconomic circumstances, knowledge of disease prevention strategies and ability to implement those strategies, public policies, insurance status, insurance policies, dental providers and other challenges to accessing dental care. Often these issues converge and result in early disadvantages to achieving good oral health (Horton & Barker, 2010). Addressing even some of the factors that contribute to poor oral health may provide ways to change the dental health status of historically underserved populations. The purpose of this research is to explore my role as a practitioner and researcher in the creation of …

Assessing Participants’ Feedback To Dental Screening Provided By New York City College Of Technology’S Dental Hygiene Students, Dirien Santos, Roseanna M. Torres, Nazrin Akbarova, Susan Davide

Publications and Research

The purpose of this research is to determine if CUNY students, faculty and staff are aware of the Dental Hygiene Program and services located at New York City College of Technology (NYCCT). Dental Hygiene students at NYCCT provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services to the public in accordance with individual state Dental Hygiene practice acts. Prevention and treatment of oral disease are recognized as important factors in a patient's overall health and well-being. Dental hygienists are important members of the dental health care team providing these services. The first phase of the project consisted of a free dental screening event …