title: Disparity in perception of the working condition of dental hygienists between dentists and dental hygiene students in Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Japan, there continues to be a shortage of active dental hygienists. The scope of dental hygienists' practice is also considered to be unclear. One of the reasons for this is that dental hygienists find the working conditions during dental hygiene education different from those in reality. The purpose of this study was to clarify the actual working condition of dental hygienists in dental clinics, as well as evaluate the awareness of dental hygiene students and dentists regarding the working condition of dental hygienists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were sent by post to 481 dentists and were distributed to 89 dental hygiene students. The awareness about the working condition of dental hygienists was compared between dentists and dental hygiene students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred twenty-two dentists and 89 dental hygiene students responded to questionnaires. Dental hygiene students considered the team of 'dental hygienist, dental technician and clerk' to be more effective in providing dental care than dentists (P < 0.001). Among the dentists, 37.1% did not find any clear distinction between hygienists and assistants in their clinics. However, 97.4% of dental hygiene students answered that dental team members should clearly inform patients of the distinction between hygienists and assistants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicated that there was disparity between dentists' and dental hygiene students' perception of dental hygienists' working conditions, and dental team work was not always effective. For training high quality dental hygienists, all educational institutions related to dentistry must educate students regarding the more realistic dental hygienists' working condition, as well as benefits.
authors.affiliation: Dental Education Development Section, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Japan.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muroga
authors.affiliation: Center for Interprofessional Education, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Japan.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tsuruta
authors.affiliation: Dental Education Development Section, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Japan.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Morio
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002568:Certification; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003726:Dental Assistants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003727:Dental Auxiliaries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003740:Dental Clinics; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003800:Dental Technicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003814:Dentistry, Operative / Q000379:methods; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004651:Employment; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D007564:Japan; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011215:Practice Management, Dental; D011364:Professional Practice; D062707:Return to Work; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace
keywords: certified dental hygienist; dental hygiene education; dental team work; four-handed dentistry; the scope of dental hygienists' practice; working environment