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Dental hygiene baccalaureate education: A national study of students' perceived value and intentions
1Professor, Dental programs, Algonquin College, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada At the time of data analysis and manuscript preparation, Ms Benbow was senior manager-policy, research, and government relations at the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association.
Background:
While there continues to be dialogue on the level of education required for entry into the profession of dental hygiene, there is a scarcity of literature pertaining to students' views on the subject. The aim of this study was to explore Canadian dental hygiene students' views on entry-to-practice dental hygiene education and their future educational aspirations.
Methods:
In March 2017, an online survey comprising closed- and open-ended questions was conducted with Canadian Dental Hygienists Association student members enrolled in entry-to-practice Canadian dental hygiene programs.
Results:
Of the 1,738 students who received the survey invitation, 401 students responded (23% response rate). Ninety-one percent of respondents were enrolled in entry-to-practice diploma programs. The majority of respondents agreed that baccalaureate dental hygiene education provides increased knowledge (86%), increased capacity to work with underserved groups (86%), expanded clinical abilities (83%), and enhanced abilities in areas such as critical thinking, research use, and collaboration (85%). Most students (78%) ,support the vision of all future dental hygienists in Canada having a baccalaureate degree. Approximately 42% of respondents in diploma dental hygiene programs intend to complete baccalaureate education following graduation, 88% of whom intend to enrol in the next 3 years. Reasons for pursuing baccalaureate education include a desire to increase their knowledge base (83%), achieve personal satisfaction (78%), expand career opportunities (75%), increase recognition (75%), increase critical thinking abilities (69%), and access graduate education (58%).
Conclusion:
These findings provide a new understanding of dental hygiene students' views and their general support for and interest in baccalaureate dental hygiene education. Such results offer further impetus for discussions about creating additional opportunities for dental hygiene degree education and advancing the entry-to-practice requirements.
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