A predictive study on the role and function of the dental hygienist in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to achieve a consensus on the work roles and scope of practice of dental hygienists in Taiwan and to rank the results according to their importance.

A modified Delphi technique was used to enquire how experts view their role and function as a dental hygienist in Taiwan. Three groups of 105 experts (dentists, officials and scholars) were surveyed. Responses were analysed using qualitative statistics.

Fifty-one topics, which were included in the categories of the research agenda, were identified through the first phase of the study. The return rate of 87.62% and 68.48% was achieved from the two rounds of surveys. Afterwards, a consensus was reached on 38 out of the 51 topics. In the aspect of service, the most desired roles and functions were those of a friendly receptionist and of an employee effective in scheduling appointments. In the aspect of administration, the most important roles and functions were billing of health insurance, and book keeping on payments, as well as administering materials. In the aspects of technical efficiency, dental hygienists were most frequently seen as serving in four- or six-handed assisting and in infection control. In the area of oral health, an oral health educator and an oral health promoter were viewed as having the most important roles and functions.

The experts concluded that the role and function of a dental hygienist should shift from a patient treatment orientation to that of an oral health promoter. The role expectations need to change to reflect what hygienists actually learn and do.