Degree Name
MSAH (Master of Science in Allied Health)
Program
Allied Health
Date of Award
12-2016
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Dr. Deborah Dotson
Committee Members
Ester L. Verhovsek, Randy L. Byington
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the awareness and attitudes of dental hygienists in Ohio regarding the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner (ADHP) as an occupation proposed by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and to determine whether the ADHP could be a viable career option for Ohio dental hygienists.
I developed a survey to assess dental hygienists’ awareness, attitudes, and their views regarding the new mid-level dental provider. The study was limited to licensed dental hygienists in Ohio. The study included a simple random sample of 400 of the 4100 dental hygienists in Ohio obtained by a systematic approach, a random start and selection of subjects at a constant interval. The method of data collection was electronic surveys. Fifty-four dental hygienists (13% of the sample) participated in the study.
The results show that most of those responding were aware of the ADHP. Also, their attitude regarding the new mid-level dental provider was positive. Attitudes varied more when the respondents provided data on the adoption of legislation for the new provider. There was no consensus among respondents regarding the ADHP as a viable career option. More robust research is needed on the viability of the ADHP in Ohio.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Leverich, Cynthia S., "Mid-level Dental Care Provider: Awareness and Attitudes of Ohio’s Dental Hygienists" (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3148. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3148
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.