Dental technology program administrators' attitudes toward credentialing health manpower

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Dental Technology Education
• Professional Credentialing

Background:

• Health manpower credentialing is crucial for quality assurance in healthcare professions.
• Understanding administrators' perspectives is vital for effective credentialing policies in dental technology.
• The landscape of dental technician roles necessitates clear standards and recognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the attitudes of dental technology program administrators regarding health manpower credentialing.
• To assess administrator views on academic program accreditation, technician certification, and licensure.
• To inform future credentialing strategies within dental technology education.

Main Methods:

• A survey instrument was developed by allied health professionals specializing in credentialing.
• The survey comprised 32 items across three subscales: academic accreditation, certification, and licensure.
• Data were collected from 49 directors of American Dental Association-accredited dental technology programs (86% response rate).

Main Results:

• Administrators overwhelmingly support the concept and practice of health manpower credentialing.
• Academic program accreditation is perceived as valuable for ensuring quality in dental technology.
• Certification for dental technicians is seen as beneficial but offers minimal recognition or economic rewards.
• Licensure for dental technicians is considered a desirable measure.

Conclusions:

• Dental technology program administrators endorse credentialing as a mechanism for quality assurance.
• There is a strong consensus on the value of academic accreditation and the desirability of licensure for dental technicians.
• Current certification practices may require revision to provide greater incentives for credentialed technicians.