title: Maryland dental hygienists' knowledge, opinions and practices regarding dental caries prevention and early detection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess Maryland dental hygienists' knowledge, practices and opinions regarding dental caries prevention and early detection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 30 item survey was mailed to 1,258 Maryland dental hygienists. Two follow-up mailings  and email reminders were sent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 43% (n=540). Nearly all respondents were female (98%), and 58% practiced in solo settings. Knowledge and certainty of knowledge were moderate: sealants are needed regardless of topical fluoride use (55% certain, 40% less  certain), newly erupted permanent molars are the best candidates for sealants (54%, 36%) and professionally applied fluorides are desirable in areas without fluoridated water (55%, 36%). Fewer were certain that incipient lesions can be remineralized before cavitation (23%, 69%), and dilute,  frequently administered fluorides are more effective in caries prevention than concentrated, less frequently administered fluorides (6%, 24%). Opinions regarding effectiveness of protocols for 2 age groups from 6 months to 6 years, the challenges of early childhood caries (ECC), prevention  practices regarding sealant and topical fluoride applications varied widely. Eighty-nine percent reported routinely assessing dental caries risk factors of child patients and 90% were interested in continuing education courses. There were no significant differences between different  types of practice settings, year of graduation, race/ethnicity or gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of recommended guidelines for fluoride and sealant application support clinical decision-making and self-care counseling. Misinformation and lack of understanding of current  research and recommendations identify a need for educational interventions in undergraduate dental hygiene programs and through continuing education for practicing hygienists.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Hygiene, Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Joanne B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Clovis
authors.forename: Alice M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.forename: Dushanka V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Kleinman
authors.forename: Min Qi
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massey
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004496:Education, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005457:Fluoridation; D005460:Fluorides, Topical / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011331:Private Practice; D011364:Professional Practice; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014089:Tooth Remineralization
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants