Dental hygienists' performance of procedures emphasized in school. Frequency and barriers

In the educational setting, dental hygiene students learn to perform a variety of clinical procedures. Some procedures regularly performed in the school clinical setting may not be practiced regularly in the employment setting. If students learn to value the necessity of performing these procedures, why does this disparity between school and practice exist? This study examined how frequently dental hygienists who have graduated from a baccalaureate program perform certain dental-related preventive/diagnostic procedures in practice that are regularly required with school clinical patients. Barriers to performing the procedures are identified, as well as the hygienists' feelings about not performing the procedures.