Dental therapists' expanded scope of practice in Australia: a 12-month follow-up of an educational bridging program to facilitate the provision of oral health care to patients 26+ years

Journal of Public Health Dentistry
Matthew S HopcraftHanny Calache

Abstract

Prior to 2009, dental therapists' scope of clinical practice in Victoria was limited to patients 25 years or younger. However, increases in dental demand by adults 26+ years required an alternative approach to service delivery. This paper outlines the self-reported confidence and knowledge level of dental therapists at 3, 6, and 12 months postcompletion of an educational program aimed at providing them with the skills to treat adults aged 26+ years. The study also surveyed dentists in the practice about the dental therapists' knowledge and the impact of their extended scope of practice on the clinics' operation. After completion of their educational program, the dental therapists who participated were surveyed at 3, 6, and 12 months postcompletion to assess their self-reported confidence levels and knowledge. Senior dentists at the clinic were surveyed to understand the impact of the subsequent change in practice of the dental therapists who undertook this training, as well as any concerns of perceived educational gaps. Surveys showed increased self-reported confidence levels by the dental therapists at 3, 6, and 12 months after completion of the program. Dental therapists and mentoring dentists identified that further educatio...Continue Reading

References

Mar 15, 2005·Australian Dental Journal·R J Cane, D R Butler
May 16, 2008·International Dental Journal·David A NashRon Nagel
Nov 4, 2008·The Journal of the American Dental Association·Kenneth Anthony Bolin
May 7, 2009·International Journal of Dental Hygiene·T A Dyer, P G Robinson
Oct 9, 2009·Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·Hanny CalacheMatt Hopcraft
Mar 17, 2010·British Dental Journal·N SunR Harris
Aug 13, 2011·British Dental Journal·N Sun, R V Harris
Feb 10, 2012·Journal of Public Health Dentistry·Hanny Calache, Matthew S Hopcraft
Mar 23, 2013·British Dental Journal·Tim Newton, Rebecca Harris
Mar 23, 2013·British Dental Journal·T A DyerP G Robinson
Apr 5, 2013·International Dental Journal·Jennifer E GallagherPaul R Harper
Oct 16, 2015·Australian Dental Journal·D N TeusnerD S Brennan

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Citations

May 28, 2016·Australian Dental Journal·Mohamed EstaiMarc Tennant
Jun 6, 2017·Australian Health Review : a Publication of the Australian Hospital Association·Mohamed EstaiMarc Tennant

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