Dental unit waterline infection control practice and knowledge gaps.

BACKGROUND: Dental unit waterline (DWL) infection control is critical to infection prevention. Identifying challenges and barriers to its implementation is a first step toward understanding how to improve engagement. METHODS: A survey was distributed to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants via the Qualtrics XM platform (Qualtrics). Responses were analyzed to quantify engagement in practices contrary to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and identify avenues to improve engagement. RESULTS: Although oral health care providers recognized DWL infection control was important, there was a lack of clarity about appropriate routine engagement (eg, what lines should be tested), what should be noted in practice infection control records, and steps to be taken in response to a failed test result (ie, ≥ 500 colony-forming units/mL), such as taking a chair out of service. CONCLUSIONS: Survey results showed there were considerable gaps in knowledge and practice that could lead to patient harm. Oral health care provider training may not prepare personnel adequately to engage in, let alone supervise, DWL infection control. DWL infection control, like other aspects of infection control, requires action informed via an understanding of what needs to be done. Although good intentions are appreciated, better approaches to DWL infection control information dissemination and strategies to engage dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dentists in best practices are needed. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Evolving standards of care, including infection control, should be reflected in the provision of dental treatment. Improvements in communicating and ensuring engagement in best practices are needed when it comes to DWL infection control.

Advancing the voice of women through doctoral education: Proposed models for dental hygienists and dental therapists.

The increase in scientific knowledge, oral healthcare, new dental hygiene workforce models, and the latest clinical skills, have elevated the need for doctoral prepared dental hygienists and dental therapists. These oral care providers need to be empowered with advanced preparation in education, research, and leadership. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present two curricular models for a doctorate of philosophy and a doctorate of oral health practice recognizing that students may have different goals and interests in educational pursuits. The doctoral program models support the conduct of research and scholarship, which supports the research infrastructure of the profession and emphasizes the dissemination of scholarly works. Creation of doctoral programs for dental hygienists and dental therapists provides opportunities to broaden choices and strive for autonomy throughout their careers. These programs may support the development of additional scholars and advanced practitioners who can contribute to the scientific body of knowledge and create policies and pathways to improve population oral health.

The role of dental hygienists and dental therapists in supportive peri-implant care.

In the UK, as in many countries, dental hygienists and dental therapists are registered dental healthcare professionals who are focused on prevention and promoting good oral and general health through patient education, motivation and behaviour change. They are key members of the dental team. This paper considers the role they play in supporting patients through their implant journey and emphasises their importance in the wider clinical team as part of a patient-centred approach to care.

Identification and assessment of factors that impact the demand for and supply of dental hygienists amidst an evolving workforce context: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: This study involved a scoping review to explore factors influencing dental hygienist demand and supply in high-income countries. METHODS: A six-stage scoping review was conducted with separate search strategies tailored to four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Google) plus a targeted scan of dental hygienist organization websites. This yielded 2,117 unique citations, leading to 148 articles included in the review. RESULTS: Nearly half of the articles (47%) focused on the United States, with 11% on Canada. Most articles (91%) were in English, alongside 13 in Korean and one in French. Journal articles comprised 62% of the publications, followed by reports/working papers (11%) and websites (11%). Other types included conference abstracts, policy briefs, and presentation slides. Content-wise, 47% were original research, with analysis articles (14%), commentaries (11%), and reviews (8%) also present. The articles were coded into three main categories: workforce characteristics/projections, factor-specific analyses, and workforce opportunities. The articles on workforce characteristics covered demographic, geographic, and employment aspects of dental hygienists, along with projections for supply and demand using simulation modelling and geospatial analyses. Factor-specific articles investigated the (1) working environment, (2) policy/regulatory/training environment, (3) job/career satisfaction and related human resource issues, and (4) scope of practice. The third key category of articles highlighted opportunities for expanding the workforce through alternative models in different sectors/settings (e.g., public health, primary care, long-term care, hospitals, mobile outreach, and non-clinical roles including research, education and leadership) and for a range of vulnerable or underserved populations (e.g., geriatric and pediatric populations, persons with disabilities, those living in rural/remote areas, Indigenous peoples, and incarcerated people). CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a comprehensive documentation of the current state of the dental hygienist workforce, compiling factors affecting demand and supply, and highlighting opportunities for the dental hygienist workforce in Canada and other high-income countries. The findings offer a foundation for future research, highlighting the need for more focused and rigorous reviews and underscoring the necessity of high-quality studies to verify the effectiveness of various interventions and policies. This is crucial to address dental hygienist workforce challenges and ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of oral health care delivery.

The relationship between practice ownership and follow-up of comprehensive dental care. A Swedish register study.

AIMS: The aims of this register study were: 1. To study whether the type of ownership of the dental practice was correlated with the type of dental care provided, that is public versus private ownership and professional (dentist or dental hygienist) versus non-professional ownership. 2. To study the extent of follow-up of patients who have undergone two types of treatments.  Material and method: Two types of dental care were defined in the two groups studied, periodontitis/peri-implantitis and comprehensive restorative/rehabilitation. All relevant treatment codes that fall under these definitions are noted when they are performed. Also, the follow-up of each treatment code is noted. Differences in dental and socioeconomic status over time and between regions were adjusted for. A drop-out analysis was performed.  Results: Dental practices owned by dentists or dental hygienists schedule follow-up appointments for patients who have undergone comprehensive restorative or rehabilitation dentistry more often than practices with other types of ownership. Dental practices owned by dentists or dental hygienists follow up patients with periodontitis and peri-implantitis less frequently. CONCLUSION: Type of ownership of a dental business influences the extent to which periodontal, and comprehensive restorative or rehabilitation dentistry were followed up.

Allied Dental Students' Perceived Knowledge, Confidence, and Attitudes Regarding Disaster Victim Identification Topics.

Purpose Disaster victim identification (DVI) service requires knowledge, confidence, and an attitude (KCA) of readiness. The purpose of this study was to assess allied dental students' perceived KCA regarding DVI skills and topics.Methods A convenience sample of senior dental hygiene students (n=27) and senior dental assistant students (n=14) were recruited by email then presented mismatched simulated antemortem (AM) and postmortem (PM) bitewing radiographs and asked to indicate correct matches. Collectively, participants made 205 radiographic matches and indicated 205 degrees of certainty binarily as "positive" or "possible" (one per match). Participants also completed a researcher designed pretest/posttest electronic survey with seven 3-point Likert-scale items with answer options of "slightly", "moderately", or "extremely" regarding self-perceived knowledge. Statistical analyses were conducted with R software using an α=0.05 significance level.Results A total of n=41 students participated, yielding a response rate of 85.4%. A one-sided linear trend test revealed statistically significant increases of perceived confidence in knowledge from pretest to posttest regarding forensic odontologists' role in DVI (p<0.0001), DVI applications for mass fatality incidents (MFI) (p<0.0001), role of dental radiology in DVI (p<0.0001), and dental morphology applications for DVI (p<0.0001). Participants indicated moderate or extreme confidence in personal clinical skillsets to assist forensic odontologists with DVI. A one-sided Fisher's exact test revealed a statistically significant (p<0.05) positive association between expressed degree of certainty (confidence) and correct radiographic matches. A one-sided linear trend test revealed statistically significant (p<0.0001) improvements in attitude regarding participants' perceived importance for their respective professions to volunteer in DVI.Conclusion Participants of this study reported significant improvements of self-perceived KCA regarding DVI skills and topics. These characteristics may encourage allied dental professionals to pursue further DVI educational opportunities and future service when support is needed for MFI.

A Protocol for Treating Patients with Post-Covid Conditions in Dental Settings.

Purpose The relative newness of Post-COVID Conditions (PCC) has revealed a void in assessment protocols and treatment guidelines for dental settings. Providing oral health care practitioners with an assessment and treatment protocol could facilitate the delivery of comprehensive oral health care. The purpose of this study was to test a protocol for assessing and treating patients with PCC in dental practice settings.Methods A qualitative exploratory research design was used to conduct the study. A PCC assessment and treatment protocol (ATP) was developed and was used by dental hygienists in clinical practice in California for a period of 6 weeks. Following the use of the PCC ATP practitioners were invited to participate in individual interviews. Online individual interviews were comprised of 20 dental hygienists recruited via purposive sampling. Participant anonymity was preserved using pseudonyms. A qualitative analysis software program was used to identify codes and themes. Investigator triangulation, member checks, and saturation were used to validate responses.Results Fifty-six participants completed the six-week PCC ATP and twenty participants took part in the interview session. Four themes were identified: awareness, accessibility, resources, and complications. Within the accessibility theme, subthemes of ease of use and guidance emerged. The complications theme yielded three subthemes: time, clinician hesitation, and patient lack of cooperation.Conclusion This study demonstrated that a PCC ATP created awareness of the varied symptoms of PCC and is a useful resource for clinical practitioners. Providing dental hygienists with a treatment protocol supports efforts to provide person-centered evidence-based care.

Update on Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancers: A guide for oral health care providers.

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) signs and symptoms may be first identified by dental hygienists during routine extra and intra-oral examinations. A comprehensive extra-oral and intra-oral examination during regular dental hygiene assessment is paramount to identifying oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) and cancerous lesions for timely referral and treatment. Integrating a systematic list of questions during the medical and dental assessment along with careful visual and tactile examinations is critical to identifying OPMDs and cancerous lesions. Understanding the relationship between oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and how vaccination can prevent HPV-related OPSCC is critical to providing evidence-based recommendations and care. The purpose of this report is to provide an update on current epidemiological trends of OSCC and OPSCC rates in the United States (US) and provide the latest evidence on what dental hygienists must know to improve health outcomes and mitigate the consequences of undiagnosed cancer. This report considers enduring challenges with the annual rise in OPSCC rates and the public health burden of HPV-related cancers in the US. Emphasis on regular, quality continuing education about OSCC and OPSCC is emphasized along with recommendations for evidence-based training.

Challenges of Incivility in Dental Practice and Education.

Professional collaboration is a key component of patient care and a source of fulfilment for oral health care providers. However, reports of incivility in employment as well as education are increasing impacting individuals in all settings including patients. Uncivil behavior implies a disregard for others and creates an atmosphere of disrespect, conflict, and stress. In contrast, civility towards others implies polite, respectful behavior towards others. This short report presents case studies in dental hygiene clinical practice and in dental hygiene education with strategies for approaching uncivil behavior.

Social Media Use by Dental Hygiene Educators.

Purpose Social media can be an effective tool in health care education. The purpose of this study was to explore dental hygiene educators' familiarity and use of social media platforms and to examine how social media was implemented in dental hygiene education.Methods A 25-item questionnaire was designed to investigate the use of social media by dental hygiene educators. The instrument included demographic data and items addressing personal, professional, and educational use of twelve common social media sites and the respondents' beliefs about social media using a 4-point Likert scale. The electronic questionnaire was distributed by email to 379 dental hygiene program directors in the United States and Canada. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.Results A total of 120 responses were received. While Facebook was the most utilized site for personal use (78.3%), LinkedIn was the most frequently accessed site for professional use (57.5%), and YouTube for educational use (68.3%). There was strong agreement that the interactive nature of online technologies create better learning environments (84.1%). There was also strong agreement that social media use in the classroom invites student participation (77.5%). More than half of the respondents (64.2%) indicated that social media can be an effective method for content delivery.Conclusion Social media is highly utilized for personal use by dental hygiene educators, but less frequently for engagement purposes in the classroom.

Dentists and dental hygienists' comprehension of HIV infection associated periodontal implications and management.

Background: In an era wherein, persuasive evidence continues to witness the association between systemic and periodontal diseases, the absence of scientific data on dental professionals' comprehension concerning the HIV infection and periodontal link is lamentably backward. Thus, the key objective of this research is to ascertain the extent of comprehension possessed by dentists and dental hygienists concerning periodontal implications and their management in HIV patients. Methods: It is a quantitative cross-sectional survey employing a descriptive approach focusing on a specific cohort of dental professionals. The study setting featured an online platform for the distribution of concealed, closed-ended, structured questionnaire. The data was gathered for four sections: six comprehension statements about periodontal manifestations in HIV patients; fifteen comprehension statements about HIV patients' periodontal management; eight familiarity statements about HIV management; and two educational statements about HIV. The comparisons of comprehension scores were drawn between variables such as specialties, age groups, and genders. Results: The survey represented 468 dental professionals representing distinct dental specialties, with a mean age of 24.26 ± 7.53 years. The mean comprehension score for all groups of participants is 10.31 ± 9.34 (33.25%). The highest scores were recorded among those aged 31-40 (20.67 ± 8.31), followed by those aged 40+ (19.38 ± 9.39), 20-30 (9.53 ± 8.96), and under 20 (8.92 ± 8.57), at p < 0.001. The female participants (15.06 ± 12.2) exhibited substantially better scores in contrast to the male participants (8.74 ± 7.57). Periodontists (27.77 ± 3.08) comprehended most, then the oral medicine practitioners (25 ± 0). Dental hygiene students (5.52 ± 3.56) and hygienists (7.67 ± 9.72) comprehended the least. The scores for all four domains assessed were disappointingly low: knowledge about HIV-periodontal manifestations (2.81 ± 2.18), knowledge about management of periodontal diseases in HIV patients (3.73 ± 4.7), familiarity with periodontal care in HIV patients (2.87 ± 3.01), and education received about HIV and periodontal diseases (0.91 ± 0.66). Conclusion: Dental professionals are notably incomprehensive, unfamiliar, and lacking in expertise in the realm of periodontal facets of HIV. The periodontists and oral medicine practitioners showed a substantial amount of comprehension, while the dental hygiene students and dental hygienists presented a conspicuously inadequate level of comprehension. The study outcome could potentially serve as an invaluable instrument for self-assessment by dental professionals and educators. HIV/AIDS ought not to persist as an unspoken taboo or disregarded subject within the dental field, particularly in periodontics, but rather should receive prominence in dental schools and professional development programs.

Finding the person behind caries disease: The dental caregivers' experiences of empowering patients to implement beneficial behavioral changes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to elucidate dental professionals' experiences of how to empower patients at risk of developing new or additional caries to promote caries-related preventive behavioral changes. METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to qualitative content analysis. To provide credibility and high-quality data, participant recruitment followed strategic sampling. The 10 participants included nine women and one man; six participants were dentists, and four were dental hygienists. In the data analysis, five descriptive and five strategic themes emerged that formed an overarching theme: Finding the person behind caries disease. RESULTS: The results indicated that by initially getting to know the person behind the patient, trusting relationships and knowledge can be generated to successfully influence patients' behaviors related to caries. The five descriptive themes included: Building a treatment alliance, Understanding habitual patterns, Motivating for changes, Implementing new behaviors, and Preserving behavioral improvements. The descriptive themes each revealed a strategy theme containing several strategy proposals for initiating and supporting caries-preventing behavioral changes. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of establishing a treatment alliance to improve the patient's skills, knowledge, and motivation. It underscores the significance of recognizing the individual behind the patient, to facilitate optimal behavior change at the lowest possible level of treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings could assist in strengthening caries-related health promotion, caries prevention, and understanding of oral health literacy techniques.

Barriers to pursuing further education among Canadian dental hygienists: a qualitative exploration.

Purpose: In recent years, C,anada has seen the development of new educational pathways to baccalaureate education for dental hygienists. Research has demonstrated that degree education strengthens dental hygienists' cognitive and practice abilities and increases career opportunities. However, the 2021 Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) Job Market and Employment Survey reported that only 27% of respondents held a baccalaureate degree. The current study was the first to explore levels of interest in and barriers to pursuing degree education among Canadian diploma-holding dental hygienists. Methods: This qualitative explorative study utilized purposeful maximum variation sampling to select Canadian dental hygienists across 10 provinces and 1 territory for 3 e-focus groups. Selected participants (N = 17) were CDHA members who held a dental hygiene diploma as their highest educational credential. E-focus groups were thematically analysed for barriers using Saldaña's descriptive and in vivo coding. Results: All participants expressed an interest in pursuing further education at some point during their career. Reported barriers to doing so were family commitments, financial restrictions, accessibility, limited employer support, unfamiliarity with eligibility criteria, unfamiliarity with existing programs, stress/anxiety over returning to school, and unfamiliarity with the benefits of earning a degree. Conclusions: The qualitative research findings supplemented answer options for a subsequent national online research survey distributed to all CDHA members; results of that survey are not included in this article. National and provincial dental hygiene associations and educational institutions can use the study findings to develop strategies to reduce barriers and raise awareness of degree education among Canadian dental hygienists.

But: Le Canada constate un mouvement grandissant vers l'élaboration de nouvelles voies d'accès à l'obtention d'un baccalauréat pour les hygiénistes dentaires. La recherche a démontré que les études universitaires renforcent les capacités cognitives et de pratique des hygiénistes dentaires et augmente leurs possibilités de carrière. Toutefois, le Sondage sur le marché du travail et de l'emploi mené en 2021 par l'Association canadienne des hygiénistes dentaires (ACHD) a révélé que seulement 27 % des répondants détenaient un baccalauréat. La présente étude a été la première à examiner les niveaux d'intérêt et les obstacles liés la poursuite d'études universitaires chez les hygiénistes dentaires du Canada titulaires d'un diplôme. Méthodes: Cette étude qualitative exploratoire a utilisé une sélection maximale d'échantillons variés pour sélectionner par choix raisonné des hygiénistes dentaires dans 10 provinces et un territoire du Canada pour 3 groupes de discussion en ligne. Les participants sélectionnés (N = 17) étaient des membres de l'ACHD qui détenaient un diplôme en hygiène dentaire comme diplôme d'études le plus élevé. Les groupes de discussion en ligne ont été analysés par thème pour déterminer les obstacles à l'aide du codage descriptif et in vivo de Saldaña. Résultats: Tous les participants ont exprimé leur intérêt à poursuivre leurs études à un moment ou à un autre de leur carrière. Les obstacles signalés étaient les engagements familiaux, les restrictions financières, l'accessibilité, le soutien limité de l'employeur, la méconnaissance de l'admissibilité, la méconnaissance des programmes existants, le stress et l'anxiété liés au retour aux études et la méconnaissance des avantages de l'obtention d'un diplôme. Conclusion: Les résultats de la recherche qualitative ont enrichi les options de réponse pour un sondage national de recherche en ligne subséquent qui serait distribué à tous les membres de l'ACHD; les résultats de ce sondage ne sont pas inclus dans le présent article. Les associations nationales et provinciales d'hygiène dentaire et les établissements d'enseignement peuvent utiliser les résultats de cette étude pour élaborer des stratégies visant à réduire les obstacles et à sensibiliser les hygiénistes dentaires canadiens aux études universitaires.

Aerosol-generating procedures and associated control/mitigation measures: Position paper from the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and the American Dental Hygienists' Association.

Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, how to reduce the risk of spreading viruses and other microorganisms while performing aerosolgenerating procedures (AGPs) has become a challenging question within the dental and dental hygiene communities. The purpose of this position paper is to summarize the evidence of the effectiveness of various mitigation methods used to reduce the risk of infection transmission during AGPs in dentistry. Methods: The authors searched 6 databases-MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar-for relevant scientific evidence published between January 2012 and December 2022 to answer 6 research questions about the risk of transmission, methods, devices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) used to reduce contact with microbial pathogens and limit the spread of aerosols. Results: A total of 78 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The literature on the risk of infection transmission including SARS-CoV-2 between dental hygienists and their patients is limited. Although several mouthrinses are effective in reducing bacterial contaminations in aerosols, their effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 is also limited. The combined use of eyewear, masks, and face shields is effective in preventing contamination of the facial and nasal region while performing AGPs. High-volume evacuation with or without an intraoral suction, low-volume evacuation, saliva ejector, and rubber dam (when appropriate) have shown effectiveness in reducing aerosol transmission beyond the generation site. Finally, the appropriate combination of ventilation and filtration in dental operatories is effective in limiting the spread of aerosols. Discussion and Conclusion: Aerosols produced during clinical procedures can pose a risk of infection transmission between dental hygienists and their patients. The implementation of practices supported by available evidence will ensure greater patient and provider safety in oral health settings. More studies in oral health clinical environments would shape future practices and protocols, ultimately to ensure the delivery of safe clinical care.

Contexte: Depuis l'éclosion de la COVID-19, la façon de réduire le risque de propagation de virus et d'autres microorganismes tout en effectuant des interventions générant des aérosols (IGA) est devenue un enjeu complexe au sein des communautés de la médecine dentaire et de l'hygiène dentaire. L'objectif de cet exposé de position est de résumer les données probantes de l'efficacité des diverses méthodes d'atténuation utilisées pour réduire le risque de transmission des infections pendant les IGA en médecine dentaire. Méthodes: Les auteurs ont effectué des recherches dans MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library et Google Scholar pour trouver des preuves scientifiques pertinentes publiées entre janvier 2012 et décembre 2022 afin de répondre à 6 questions de recherche sur le risque de transmission, les méthodes, les dispositifs et l'équipement de protection individuelle (EPI) utilisés pour réduire le contact avec les agents pathogènes microbiens et limiter la propagation des aérosols. Résultats: Au total, 78 études ont satisfait aux critères d'admissibilité. La documentation est limitée en ce qui concerne le risque de transmission des infections, y compris le SRAS-CoV-2, entre les hygiénistes dentaires et leurs patients. Bien que plusieurs rince-bouches soient efficaces pour réduire la contamination bactérienne dans les aérosols, leur efficacité contre le SRAS-CoV-2 est limitée. L'utilisation combinée de lunettes, de masques et d'écrans faciaux est efficace pour prévenir la contamination de la région faciale et nasale lors de l'exécution d'IGA. L'évacuation à volume élevé avec ou sans aspiration intraorale, l'évacuation à faible volume, l'aspirateur de salive et la digue dentaire en caoutchouc (le cas échéant) ont démontré une efficacité à réduire la transmission des aérosols au-delà du site de production. Enfin, la combinaison appropriée de ventilation et de filtration dans les salles de traitement dentaire permet de limiter efficacement la propagation des aérosols. Discussion et conclusion: Les aérosols produits lors des interventions cliniques peuvent présenter un risque de transmission des infections entre les hygiénistes dentaires et leurs patients. La mise en oeuvre de pratiques appuyées par les données probantes disponibles assurera une plus grande sécurité des patients et des prestataires dans les milieux de santé buccodentaire. Un plus grand nombre d'études dans les environnements cliniques de santé buccodentaire permettrait de façonner les pratiques et les protocoles futurs dans le but d'assurer la prestation sécuritaire des soins cliniques.

Knowledge and perception regarding molar incisor hypomineralisation among dental students and dental hygienist students in Spain: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) has a high prevalence in the Spanish pediatric population and is a precursor of carious lesions in teeth in which it is present. Although this pathology is included in the curricula of the Degree in Dentistry and the Training Cycle in Oral Hygiene in our country, the contents currently taught seem to be insufficient in relation to the level of knowledge that we have today about this condition. METHODS: A digital questionnaire of 18 questions was sent to a sample of 448 students attending the 4th and 5th year of the Degree in Dentistry and 2nd year of the Training Cycle in Oral Hygiene from different universities and vocational training centers in the Valencian Community. Descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis of the data was subsequently performed. RESULTS: Of the 290 questionnaires that were obtained, 53.8% were from students attending the 2nd year of a training course in oral hygiene and 46.2% were from students pursuing a degree in dentistry. Most of the respondents had heard about MIH (75.2%), mainly through master classes. However, most students had difficulties distinguishing MIH lesions from other lesions (58.3%). The degree of knowledge about MIH was greater among dental students in all the aspects evaluated: prevalence, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Of all the students, 83.8% were interested in increasing their training on MIH, especially in the areas of diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study justify the need to expand the content on MIH, both theoretical and practical, in the educational curricula of the Degree in Dentistry and Integrated Vocational Training Centers in Spain.

Uptake of dental hygienist services by the Israeli 65+ age group.

OBJECTIVES: To learn about the use patterns of dental hygienist services, by the 65+ age group in Israel and to identify the main barriers facing different population groups. METHODS: Telephone interviews with a representative sample of 512 older adults aged 65 and over were conducted from February to April 2020. RESULTS: About 50% of the older adults aged 65 and over visited a dentist (2.9 visits on average) and 35% visited a dental hygienist in the year preceding the interviews. 17% reported never visiting a dentist and 45% never received care from a dental hygienist. Dental care use rates are lower in the outlying areas of the country, among non-Jews and among those who find it difficult to cover monthly household expenses. Those who regularly visit a dental hygienist maintain a preventive oral health routine, including tooth brushing and visits to the dentist for periodic preventive check-ups. They are aware of the harmful effects of eating sweets in between meals. Most of the older adults aged 65 and over are unaware of the reform under which hygienist' care was included in the basket of services provided by health plans. CONCLUSIONS: There is underutilization of dental hygienist services and lack of awareness of proper oral health behaviour in the lower socioeconomic group. As less than 50% of older adults are aware of the legal rights for dental care, there is a need to raise awareness of the reform and the services provided under it.