title: A retrospective comparison of dental hygiene supervision changes from 2001 to 2011.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent of change in the professional practice environment for dental hygienists in the 50 states and District of Columbia by comparing the state supervision requirements for dental hygienists during 2001 to 2011 to the previous 7 year period, 1993 to 2000.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective comparison evaluation was conducted using the 2 tables entitled "Tasks Permitted and Mandated Supervision of Dental Hygienists by State, 1993, 1998 and 2000" and "Dental Hygiene Practice Act Overview: Permitted Functions and Supervision Levels by State." To score the net change in supervision, a numerical score was assigned to each level of alteration in supervision with a +1 or -1 for each level of change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a 95% confidence level, the mean change in dental hygiene supervision from 2001 to 2011 was 6.57 with a standard deviation of 5.70 (p-value=0.002). The mean change of supervision from 1993 to 2000 was 2.61 with a standard deviation of 4.36 (p-value=0.0002). The difference in the mean scores for the periods 1993 to 2000 and 2001 to 2011 was 3.96 (p-value=0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that the majority of the states are moving toward a decrease in dental hygiene supervision. Study results suggest that the movement appears to be accelerating with more states adopting fewer supervision regulations at a faster rate. Therefore, direction is moving toward more access to dental health care for underserved populations.
authors.forename: April V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Catlett
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Greenlee
mesh_terms: D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D032022:Delegation, Professional / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010511:Periodontal Dressings; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D011861:Radiography, Dental; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013357:Subgingival Curettage; D013537:Sutures; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D005459:Fluorides
keywords: access to dental care; autonomy; community partnerships; dental hygiene; supervision level