Supervision and practice of dental hygienists: report of ADHA survey.
In 1986, the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) funded a study to examine demographic and practice data concerning the dental hygiene profession. The purpose of this survey was to establish a data base for the current practice of licensed dental hygienists in the United States. Information was collected on the type of supervision under which hygienists worked and the type of supervision they would prefer. Using a stratified random sampling technique, questionnaires were sent to licensed member and nonmember dental hygienists residing in the United States. A total of 9,110 hygienists received surveys and after a second mailing to nonrespondents, a total of 4,522 completed surveys were received, for a response rate of 49.6%. This survey indicates that hygienists' attitudes toward supervision are changing. Although the majority of hygienists still work in a private practice where a dentist is present and usually examines the patient, over half of the respondents prefer that the dentist's presence in the facility not be required. In examining practice behaviors, a collaborative relationship appears to exist between the hygienist and dentist when treating both new and recall patients. The collaborative relationship decreases with the dental hygienist demonstrating an increase in responsibility and independent decision making for recall patients. Traditional practice behaviors are also changing to include more comprehensive dental hygiene services, particularly by baccalaureate degree hygienists.
Benicewicz
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D
Metzger
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D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D011215:Practice Management, Dental; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires