Dental Hygiene Program Directors' Perceptions of Advances in Accreditation Standards

Purpose: Dental hygienists have increased opportunities as work-force models expand opportunities for the profession. The purpose of this study was to identify entry-level dental hygiene program directors' perceptions regarding advancing accreditation standards in dental hygiene education.Methods: An electronic questionnaire was distributed via three mailings during the spring semester of 2019 to the 332 entry-level dental hygiene program directors across the United States for this exploratory, descriptive study. The survey instrument addressed the various dimensions related to changing the accreditation standard for the entry-level dental hygienists to the baccalaureate degree. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests of association were used to analyze results.Results: A total of 178 responses were received (n=178) for a response rate of 53.6%. Most program directors agreed students complete three years of college education (n=152, 85.4%), and should be educated to understand current and emerging workforce delivery models (n=166, 93.2%). More than half disagreed (n=94, 52.9%) with the statement that there is ample time in the curriculum to prepare students for employment in a variety of oral healthcare settings. Respondents were equally divided concerning changing the accreditation standard for the entry-level to the baccalaureate degree but were in support of modifying the standard to require didactic educators to have a master's degree.Conclusion: Dental hygiene program directors were divided regarding advancing accreditation standards to the baccalaureate degree for entry-level dental hygienists. Further research is needed to include dental hygiene educators' and leaders' perspectives to provide comparative information and a greater understanding regarding increasing accreditation standards.