A survey of the prevalence and predictors of workplace bullying towards the dental hygienist.

OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE: Given the lack of research within dentistry as it relates to workplace bullying (WPB), the purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of WPB and predictors of WPB for dental hygienists in clinical practice. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey research was used with a convenience sample of dental hygienists (n = 943) providing patient care to explore WPB. Ninety-three per cent of participants resided in the United States, and 6.9% lived internationally. The survey was shared via social media on Facebook and Instagram group pages, specifically dental focussed. The validated Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) was used to measure the exposure WPB using descriptive, correlation, chi-square and Mann-Whitney U. RESULTS: The completion rate was 81% (n = 765). Results showed 21% of participants had experienced WPB now and then, 9.4% several times a week and 2.9% almost daily. Predictors for WPB included highest degree earned (p = -0.03), US (United States) region of residence (p = 0.001), clinical setting (private practice vs. dental service organization) (p < 0.001), clinical years of experience (p = 0.002) and work status (full- or part-time) (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The findings confirmed WPB has been experienced by 1 in 5 clinical dental hygienists. Dental hygienists in their early years are more likely to have reported workplace bullying than those with more years of practice. WPB is not a new phenomenon, but given the prevalence observed in dental hygiene participants, employers need to be active in preventing and managing bullying to create and maintain an effective dental team and positive work environment.

Factors Affecting Part-Time Dental Hygiene Faculty Members' Intent to Stay in Education.

The need for more dental hygiene educators has led to the increased practice of hiring part-time faculty members; however, there is little literature on their job satisfaction or intent to stay in education. The aim of this study was to explore demographic and job satisfaction variables that may predict part-time dental hygiene faculty members' intent to stay in education within the framework of Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory. A cross-sectional, correlational survey was conducted with a national convenience sample of part-time dental hygiene faculty members (n = 177). The survey was a combination of two validated survey instruments (modified Nurse Educators' Intent to Stay in Academe Scale and modified Adjunct Faculty Survey). The completion rate was 87%. Overall, the study found a significantly positive correlation between job satisfaction and intent to stay (ρ[177] = 0.48; p<0.001). Other significant findings were that both average annual salary (p = 0.005) and being approached as an undergraduate (p = 0.004) had an effect on intent to stay. Personal growth (p<0.001), the job satisfaction subscale (p<0.001), and work preference (p = 0.03) had the most predictive influence on intent to stay. Job satisfaction was a strong predictor of intent to stay, which is consistent with Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory. Addressing the needs of part-time dental hygiene faculty members by increasing job satisfaction variables may aid in the recruitment and retention of these educators.

Dental Hygienists' Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice for Patients with Dental Anxiety.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge, education, attitudes, confidence, and practice of dental hygienists providing dental care to adult patients with dental anxiety (DA).Methods: A purposive sample of dental hygienists, using a snowball sampling technique, were recruited through social media sites. Inclusion criteria were limited to actively practicing, registered dental hygienists in the United States (U.S.). The validated survey had 29 questions regarding dental hygienists' knowledge, education, attitudes, confidence, and practice in regards to patients with DA. Regression analysis and chi square tests were performed on the data with research outcomes represented through frequency tables and percentiles.Results: A total of 417 participants attempted the survey; 355 participants (n=355) completed the survey yielding a participation rate of 87%. A majority, 73%, of the respondents reported DA as a "somewhat serious" to "extremely serious" issue when treating patients. Forty-eight percent of the respondents indicated that their education had prepared them to address DA but also reported the need for additional education in this area. Dental hygienists indicating higher levels of confidence in addressing DA in their patients also allowed for extra time in their schedules to treat patients with DA.Conclusion: Increased DA education in the undergraduate dental hygiene curriculum as well as post-graduate education opportunities may increase dental hygienists' confidence and capability in the management of DA.

Assessing Student Satisfaction with Face-to-Face Synchronous Distance Education in a Dental Hygiene Program.

As universities and colleges seek to reach more students in efficient ways, the use of synchronous distance education (SDE) can be an alternative to traditional classrooms. This study focused on face-to-face SDE, in which classrooms equipped with interactive synchronous technologies allow students in both classrooms and the professor to synchronously see and hear one another. The aims of the study were to aid educators in understanding student concerns, determine whether face-to face SDE was sacrificing overall student satisfaction, and investigate whether satisfaction improved as the program matured. This mixed-methods study utilized a convenience sample of two cohorts of dental hygiene students (n=122) in one program: Cohort 1, which graduated in 2014 as the first class to experience face-to-face SDE; and Cohort 2, which graduated in 2015. The response rate for the two cohorts was 95%. Perceptions of face-to-face SDE versus traditional classroom experiences and characteristics of face-to-face SDE were measured using pre- and post-program surveys. The results showed no difference in student perceptions and expectations pre-course vs. post-course, although Cohort 2 had a more positive perception of SDE than did Cohort 1 (p<0.001). Perceptions of characteristics related to the classroom setting and instructor satisfaction were overall positive (p<0.001). The qualitative data suggested that technological support and faculty familiarity with SDE were substantial influences on students' satisfaction. Overall, there was no significant difference in satisfaction with face-to-face SDE when students compared it to their previous classroom experiences.

Oral Health Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practices of Albanian Immigrants in the United States.

Research indicates a high prevalence of oral disease among Albanians. There is a lack of evidence regarding oral health beliefs and practices among Albanian immigrants in the United States and abroad. This research seeks to better understand the oral health beliefs, attitudes, and practices among Albanian immigrants living in the United States. A descriptive study was employed with a purposive sample (n = 211) of Albanian adult immigrants. A cross-sectional validated questionnaire was provided in both English and Albanian, with a response rate of 66 %. Results revealed a high use of dental services among respondents, with 68 % reported as having a dental visit and cleaning within the past year. Although 25 % of participants stated their parents and grandparents have used folk remedies, 88 % of them stated that use of folk remedies did not influence their decision to seek professional dental care. Increasing age was inversely associated with the belief in the importance of retaining natural teeth, as older respondents were less likely to agree with the prior statement; older respondents were more likely to agree with the statement "bleeding gums are normal." Low oral health care access and utilization was not a factor among the majority of the Albanian immigrants studied. Focusing on providing age appropriate oral health education and behavioral strategies could increase oral health knowledge and potentially improve poor oral health status among this population.

Attitudes and Practices Among Medical Providers Regarding Oral Health Assessments in Young Children.

Research indicates that while most nondental medical providers believe pediatric oral assessments are important, most lack education and training. This study investigated a metropolitan area in Southern California medical providers' knowledge, attitudes and practices on oral health assessments. Results indicate a high incidence of incorrect dental knowledge. Common barriers were lack of knowledge and time. Early intervention and timely dental referrals among nondental medical providers can play a significant role in promoting oral health.

International academic service learning: lessons learned from students' travel experiences of diverse cultural and health care practices in morocco.

Academic service learning (ASL) is an active teaching-learning approach to engage students in meaningful hands-on activities to serve community-based needs. Nine health professions students from a private college and a private university in the northeastern United States volunteered to participate in an ASL trip to Morocco. The participants were interviewed to reflect on their experiences. This article discusses the lessons learned from students' ASL experiences regarding integrating ASL into educational programs. The authors recommend a paradigm shift in nursing and dental hygiene curricula to appreciate diversity and promote cultural competency, multidisciplinary teamwork, and ethics-based education.

Student perception of travel service learning experience in Morocco.

PURPOSE: This study explores the perceptions of health profession students participating in academic service learning in Morocco with respect to adapting health care practices to cultural diversity. METHODS: Authors utilized semi-structured, open-ended interviews to explore the perceptions of health profession students. Nine dental hygiene and nursing students who traveled to Morocco to provide oral and general health services were interviewed. After interviews were recorded, they were transcribed verbatim to ascertain descriptive validity and to generate inductive and deductive codes that constitute the major themes of the data analysis. Thereafter, NVIVO 8 was used to rapidly determine the frequency of applied codes. The authors compared the codes and themes to establish interpretive validity. Codes and themes were initially determined independently by co-authors and applied to the data subsequently. The authors compared the applied codes to establish intra-rater reliability. RESULTS: International service learning experiences led to perceptions of growth as a health care provider among students. The application of knowledge and skills learned in academic programs and service learning settings were found to help in bridging the theory-practice gap. The specific experience enabled students to gain an understanding of diverse health care and cultural practices in Morocco. CONCLUSION: Students perceived that the experience gained in international service learning can heighten awareness of diverse cultural and health care practices to foster professional growth of health professionals.