title: California Dental Hygiene Educators' Perceptions of an Application of the ADHA Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner (ADHP) Model in Medical Settings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess California dental hygiene educators' perceptions of an application of the American Dental Hygienists' Association's (ADHA) advanced dental hygiene practitioner model (ADHP) in medical settings where the advanced dental hygiene practitioner collaborates in medical settings with other health professionals to meet clients' oral health needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2014, 30 directors of California dental hygiene programs were contacted to participate in and distribute an online survey to their faculty. In order to capture non-respondents, 2 follow-up e-mails were sent. Descriptive analysis and cross-tabulations were analyzed using the online survey software program, Qualtrics™.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The educator response rate was 18% (70/387). Nearly 90% of respondents supported the proposed application of the ADHA ADHP model and believed it would increase access to care and reduce oral health disparities. They also agreed with most of the proposed services, target populations and workplace settings. Slightly over half believed a master's degree was the appropriate educational level needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among California dental hygiene educators responding to this survey, there was strong support for the proposed application of the ADHA model in medical settings. More research is needed among a larger sample of dental hygiene educators and clinicians, as well as among other health professionals such as physicians, nurses and dentists.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002140:California; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D003815:Dentists; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D011364:Professional Practice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: advanced dental hygiene practitioner; advanced dental therapist; dental hygiene therapist; dental hygienist; dental therapist; inter-professional collaboration; mid-level oral health care provider; mid-level provider