Impact of an NIDR educational program on the teaching of caries prevention in dental hygiene

An evaluation is reported of selected educational and promotional activities of the National Institute of Dental Research related to caries prevention. Data were collected from U.S. dental hygiene program directors (n = 183) and faculty (n = 718) by mail questionnaire between November 1984 and May 1985. The impact of NIDR activities on the caries prevention curricula in dental hygiene education programs was investigated. Results show that the educational activities of the NIDR, as well as selected state and program characteristics, are associated with differences in the caries prevention curricula of dental hygiene programs and the caries prevention teaching of the faculty. The more frequent and the more personal the contact with NIDR activities, the greater the emphasis given to caries prevention in the curriculum structure and in the teaching practices of the faculty.