title: Dental hygienists' perception of preparation and use for ultrasonic instrumentation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ultrasonic scaling technology has evolved dramatically providing greater clinical utility subgingivally including instrumentation of light deposits and biofilm disruption. It is unknown whether dental hygiene curriculum has kept pace with the progression and reflects current applications. The first part of this two-part study aimed to determine new dental hygiene graduates' use and perceptions of preparedness in ultrasonic instrumentation. Part 2 investigates ultrasonic curriculum from the programme director perspective and will be reported on in a subsequent paper.
  
  
  METHODS
  Part 1 of the study surveys recently graduated Canadian dental hygienists about their use and perceptions of preparedness with ultrasonic instruments through an electronic questionnaire developed for this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported using ultrasonics about half of their instrumentation time predominantly with magnetostrictive technology. Use focussed on heavier deposits with straight, slim inserts. Subjects were generally satisfied with ultrasonic education and felt reasonably well prepared in using ultrasonics. Higher levels of perceived preparedness were most associated with graduates from the 3-year diploma programme, whereas graduates from 18-month programmes were associated with greater levels of confidence in using ultrasonics. Confidence with ultrasonics did not have an effect on subsequent use - mostly all participants increased use once in practice. An earlier introduction and more practice time in school were both associated with increased feelings of preparation and confidence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New dental hygiene graduates perceive greater preparedness, confidence and use of ultrasonic instrumentation within a more traditional paradigm. In addition, the results indicate a potential incorrect and/or inappropriate application of current technology.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Hygiene, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Asadoorian
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Botbyl
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Goulding
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D018441:Biofilms; D002170:Canada; D003479:Curriculum; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000628:therapy; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011364:Professional Practice; D012649:Self Concept; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000193:education; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000628:therapy; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: curriculum; dental hygiene; dental prophylaxis; dental scaling; periodontal pocket debridement; ultrasonics