Subgingival irrigation instruction and utilization in dental hygiene curricula

The purpose of this study was to assess subgingival irrigation instruction in accredited dental hygiene programs in the United States; specifically, the number of programs providing instruction; teaching methods used; delivery systems taught didactically and/or clinically; the amount of student clinical experience provided; clinical patient selection criteria; and specific irrigation solutions used.

A 17-item questionnaire was mailed in January 1989 to 197 accredited dental hygiene programs. Frequency distributions were used to describe the data.

A response rate of 85% (N = 167) was obtained after two mailings. One hundred twenty-four dental hygiene programs (74%) provide subgingival irrigation information in their curriculum. Data revealed that although student experiences with subgingival irrigation delivery agents and systems vary greatly, a majority of schools teach the utilization of chlorhexidine delivered via motorized irrigation systems. Students who provide subgingival irrigation usually do so in selected areas for specific patients.

Results from the survey indicate that a majority of dental hygiene programs provide some form of subgingival irrigation instruction, although educational content, experience, and placement of instruction within the two-year curricula varied. Based on these findings, dental hygiene educators may elect to develop standards for teaching subgingival irrigation in their programs.