Barriers faced by expanded practice dental hygienists in Oregon

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Dental Hygiene Practice
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Oregon permits dental hygienists with an expanded practice permit (EPP) to practice independently.
• Understanding barriers is crucial for enhancing independent dental hygiene practice and education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess perceived barriers for practicing and non-practicing EPP holders in Oregon.
• To inform curriculum development for graduating dental hygienists seeking independent practice.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to 181 EPP holders in Oregon.
• The survey was approved by an institutional review board and pilot-tested.

Main Results:

• A 39% response rate was achieved (n=71).
• Many EPP holders (62%) were new, but only 41% were practicing independently.
• Barriers included insurance reimbursement, lack of acceptance, costs, and difficulty establishing practice settings.

Conclusions:

• Barriers differ between practicing and non-practicing EPP holders.
• Exploring solutions to eliminate these barriers is recommended.
• Curricular changes, public health partnerships, and new healthcare systems can reduce independent practice barriers.