Inactive dental hygienists as a potential professional resource

Article Abstract:

Results are presented from a survey of 233 inactive dental hygienists in North Carolina that attempted to learn more about how they might be encouraged to return to active practice. The decreased number of new dental hygienists graduating now (compared with the 1980s) combined with greater utilization of hygienists by dentists has led to a shortage. The hygienists who responded to the mail survey had been inactive for an average of six years and had been employed in four practices during an average period of 10 years. Forty-six percent were not employed and were not looking for work, while 39 percent worked at nondental jobs. Comparisons between those who thought a return to work as a dental hygienist was possible (slightly more than half the group) and those who thought such a return was unlikely showed that the ''unlikely returners'' had been inactive longer than the ''possible returners'' (seven versus five years). Possible returners were more likely than nonreturners to be married, to have preschool children, and to be unemployed without seeking work. The most common reason given by hygienists in both groups for leaving practice was family responsibilities; the next most common reason was inadequate salary. Other reasons included spouse relocation, better offer outside dentistry, boredom, and lack of advancement possibilities. Dentists cannot affect hygienists' family responsibilities, but they can make life easier for them by offering flexible hours. Moreover, they can address the management issues and job concerns important to these respondents, including systems of reward and recognition. Many hygienists may not have access to current information about salaries or such office routines as infection control (cited by 8 percent as a main reason for leaving); they should be provided with current, accurate information. Ultimately, the dentist, who can help create a challenging and rewarding work experience for the returning hygienist, is the central figure in any organized efforts to recruit this population of workers. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Officials and employees, Recruiting, Dental offices, Dental hygienists

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Evaluating and influencing periodontal diagnostic and treatment behaviors in general practice

Article Abstract:

Results are presented from a study carried out over a period of three years to evaluate the diagnostic and treatment approaches to periodontal disease (disease of the gums and other structures that support the teeth) taken by dentists in general practice. Thirty-four full-time general dental practitioners in two counties (an experimental and a control group) in North Carolina allowed investigators to evaluate the procedures they used, and observations were made on 30 patients in each office. Patients were examined in 1986, 1987 and 1989, and answered questions concerning periodontal disease at the first examination. Of particular interest were four aspects of dental practice: the extent to which dentists included notes about periodontal status in patients' records; the kinds of periodontal treatments performed for patients; results of patients' clinical examinations; and patients' responses to the questionnaire. Results showed that an unacceptably low number of notes concerning periodontal disease appeared in patient records, but the level of patient periodontal health was quite good. A one-year intervention was then mounted in the experimental county to improve dentists' notation habits and practice styles to better deal with periodontal problems. After the intervention, notation improved considerably, while other behaviors changed less. The results show that continuing education efforts can improve the ways dentists note information relevant to their patients' periodontal health. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Diagnosis, Education, Dentists, Periodontal disease, Periodontal diseases

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Practice parameters in dentistry: where do we stand?

Article Abstract:

Dentists must evaluate clinical practice guidelines before incorporating them into their practice. According to modified standards established by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), guidelines should be properly developed, reliable, valid, and practical. Most of the primary professional dental organizations are involved in developing clinical practice guidelines in 1995. Government agencies, nonprofit groups, and other organizations including insurers and dental group practices have also developed guidelines for dentistry. None of the existing guidelines embody all of the desirable characteristics cited by the IOM. Many lack a thorough analysis of the dental literature, overlook patient preferences, or are based on expert consensus rather than scientific evidence from outcome studies. Most organizations do not have a clear dissemination strategies for guidelines.

Standards, Dental care, Oral hygiene

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