PubMed · 2958024
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G J Barnby. 1987-08-22. Hepatitis vaccination uptake.. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4806210
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There is a concern that excellent continuing education is difficult for many employed dental hygienists to obtain at locations distant from major metropolitan centers. This difficulty can change the practice mechanisms of these dental hygienists, and possibly affect patient care. The Dental Hygiene Program at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, began an innovative online program, "DH Forum," to address this concern. The program follows a case-based educational method of integration of theory into practice, so that learning is easily adapted to practice situations. The program also includes the latest in dental theory and practice, and links to many other informative Internet sites. Objectives of the online program were to meet the continuing education needs of dental hygienists in areas distant to metropolitan areas and pursue a high level of excellence in the areas of organization, material presented, appropriateness of material, and satisfaction of individual course objectives. An online feedback form using a simple survey method was used to obtain results. More than 86% of the initial 71 participants who filled out the form are employed as dental hygienists in a variety of settings. More than 86% of these participants reside in areas distant from major metropolitan centers. In addition, more than 77% of these participants felt that overall, the program met its objectives on an excellent to near excellent level. Within its initial months of operation, the online feedback shows that the program has more than succeeded in meetings its objectives. Online continuing education for dental hygienists is a worthwhile addition to onsite continuing education programs for the advancement of high standards of care for all concerned, as long as certain considerations are followed. Further methods to evaluate online programs should be considered in the future.
OBJECTIVES: To analyse the working patterns of all those who qualified from the Liverpool School of Dental Hygiene over a 20-year period. To assess the proportion who give up practice, the degree of part-time work, career breaks, job satisfaction, availability of continuing professional education etc. METHOD: A questionnaire sent to all 226 hygienists who qualified from the School between 1997 and 1998, whether still enrolled as dental hygienists or not. RESULTS: Responses were received from 83% of whom 89% were still working as hygienists, the majority in general practice. 46% had taken an employment break, mostly for maternity reasons but a significant number for other reasons. Around 80% expressed good job satisfaction. Although there is a high level of part-time work, especially after career breaks, few had experienced difficulty in finding employment. One third of respondents considered that the availability of continuing professional education was 'poor' or 'very poor'. CONCLUSIONS: The great majority of hygienists enjoy good job satisfaction and work in more than one general dental practice. Comparisons suggest that they continue to work in their chosen career at least as much as female dentists do in theirs. The reasons for this are thought to be that hygienists tend to be recruited from the ranks of highly motivated, mature dental nurses and that the profession lends itself to part-time work which can be combined with family commitments. There are perceived deficiencies in the availability of continuing professional education, which may be remedied by the development of distance learning packages and Section 63 type courses designed specifically for them.
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