PMID: 26338904Sep 5, 2015Paper

New York State Dental Hygienists' Perceptions of a Baccalaureate Degree as the Entry-Level Degree Required for Practice

Journal of Dental Hygiene : JDH
Christine RogersJoAnn R Gurenlian

Abstract

Dual educational pathways exist for entry into the dental hygiene profession, namely associate and baccalaureate degrees. The purpose of this study was to examine practicing dental hygienists' perceptions, regarding the requirement of a baccalaureate degree as entry-to-practice for the profession. A purposive sample of 800 dental hygienists licensed within New York State, both members and non-members of the Dental Hygienists' Association of the state of New York, were contacted via email and asked to participate in this Web-based survey. Survey items included both open-ended demographic and 12 Likert-type questions about perceptions of the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) being required as entry-level into the profession. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank correlations and the Kruskal-Wallis test. One hundred and seventeen surveys were returned and 107 (14%) were valid for analysis. Fifty-two percent of participants held an associate degree and 98% were members of the ADHA. Nearly a third of participants were employed in solo practice, and 43% agreed/strongly agreed the associate degree is sufficient preparation for dental hygiene practice. Still, more participants agreed/strongly agree...Continue Reading

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