An analysis of dental hygienist remuneration. Part III. From the results of the Ohio Dentist and Dental Hygiene Surveys.

The Division of Dental Hygiene of Ohio State University, working under a grant from the Ohio Dental Association, completed research defining the practice of dental hygiene in Ohio utilizing data gathered in the summer of 1991. This portion of the research focuses on the salaries and benefits earned by practicing Ohio dental hygienists. It also presents the salary and benefit levels which Ohio dentists believe to be reasonable for dental hygienist employees. The largest number of dental hygienists work 27 hours per week and are paid a straight salary averaging $15.86 per hour. The largest number of dentists believe that experienced, full-time dental hygienists should receive higher salaries and more benefits than part-time hygienists. They feel that $16-$21 per hour is a reasonable salary, and they most often provide reduced dental fees as a benefit.

Evaluating tooth color change from carbamide peroxide gel.

A double-blind experiment assessed the efficacy, longevity and safety of a tooth whitener in young adults. Significant color changes occurred after active treatment but were substantially reversed after one week. No permanent changes were found in either pulpal or gingival health.

Relationships between dental hygienists' career attitudes and their retention of practice. Part II. From the results of the Ohio Dentist and Dental Hygiene Surveys.

This article utilizes findings from the Ohio Dental Hygiene Survey and Ohio Dentist Survey to uncover what specific dental hygiene attitudes exist relative to employment and what factors have led to job termination and to re-entry. Ohio dental hygiene employees are most satisfied with patient relationships, co-worker relationships, and flexible working hours. The dental hygienists are least satisfied with fringe benefits, financial growth, and career creativity. Salary, benefits, nor career longevity were significant factors in determining satisfaction. Dental hygienists who were not working when surveyed, said they would consider returning to practice if a better salary were available, if they could find part-time work, if there were a good wage scale with benefits, or if their own financial need changed. Thirty-six percent of the non-practitioners said they would not ever consider returning to practice due to working conditions, establishment of a new career, or inadequate compensation. Dentist employers stated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their dental hygienists' patient care and contribution to the practice.

Is there a shortage of dental hygienists?

Dental hygiene faculty from the Ohio State University, working under a grant from the Ohio Dental Association, surveyed licensed dentists and dental hygienists in Ohio in order to determine work-related concerns and possible solutions to perceived shortages of hygienists. There were 585 respondents from those selected through stratified systematic sampling based on state dental district for a 69% rate of dentist return and a 73% rate of hygienist return. The joint surveys assessed attitudes and documented experiences in several categories: practice background, opinion about hygiene employment shortage, compensation, aspects of hygiene satisfaction, reasons for ever terminating hygiene practice and future conditions persuading a return to hygiene practice. This article, the first in a series, presents findings from the survey of dentists relative to a perceived shortage of clinical dental hygienists. Forty-eight percent of dentist respondents believe that there is a shortage, while 52% are either not sure or believe there is no shortage. Those sensing a shortage have either tried to find a hygienist and could not believe there is a smaller pool to choose from, or have heard that colleagues have been unable to find a hygienist. Solutions to the shortage focus on better recruitment of qualified students, encouraging reentry of non-practicing hygienists, and promoting retention of hygienists in existing practices. Less frequently, dentists suggest starting new hygiene programs or training hygienists by preceptorship.