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During the last century, the role of dental hygienists as leaders in the recognition, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases has grown, reflecting the ever-evolving knowledge base of the profession. The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) has contributed to and supported research that has formulated the scientific basis for the profession to inform education and practice. Progress has been made across multiple priority areas identified on the National Dental Hygiene Research Agenda, including educational research examining the impact of curriculum models on teaching and learning; health services research projects documenting workforce issues and cost-effectiveness of practice models; and public health initiatives expanding access to care to provide oral health care services for diverse patient populations. The Journal of Dental Hygiene, established in 1927, has played a significant role in disseminating scientific evidence to the global dental hygiene and professional communities. Collaborative efforts both within dental hygiene and externally with interprofessional partners and key stakeholders have positively contributed towards building the research infrastructure to support the profession. The number of dental hygienists who are actively engaged in research has increased, as has the value for research as part of the research culture. Focused research priorities and training efforts have encouraged collaborations across the globe to conduct and promote the science supporting dental hygiene education and practice. Development, testing and validation of theoretical frameworks is essential to drive all professional activities. Building a community of scholars who will continue to define the dental hygiene discipline through scholarship is critical to promote a scholarly identity for the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dental hygiene educators play a key role in assisting students to make connections between research and clinical practice. A core course in research was redesigned with the goal of motivating and encouraging dental hygiene students to advance research skills beyond the undergraduate dental hygiene curricula. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the redesigned course and the student outcomes as they relate to perceived barriers and motivation for future research in dental hygiene. Methods: A 25-item, electronic survey composed of 3 sets of Likert scaled questions was sent to a convenience sample of Bachelor of Science dental hygiene students (n=18) enrolled in the Introduction to Research Methods course at New York University. The survey explored students' perceptions of satisfaction with the learning strategies used as well as motivations and barriers toward future research. In addition to the survey, the final project, overall course grade and university end-ofcourse evaluations were examined to gain a comprehensive understanding of course effectiveness. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Results: Of the 18 students invited to participate, 12 completed the course evaluation survey(n=12) for a 67% response rate. Results indicated that all respondents learned about the research process and an Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposal. Most respondents indicated interest in taking additional research courses and in conducting future research. While students indicated lack of time as a barrier toward pursuing research (41.7%), they valued the need for research in clinical care. The IRB proposal project mean score was 88.3 % and the overall mean grade was 89.5%. On a Likert scale range of 1 (low) - 5 (high), the university end-of-course evaluation indicated a 4.9 overall course satisfaction. Conclusion: Results from this pilot study reflected positive students' attitudes towards the redesigned learning modalities and indicated future plans for conducting research upon course completion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Healthcare agencies recommend limited use of aerosol‐generating procedures to mitigate disease (COVID‐19) transmission. However, total dispersion patterns of aerosols, particularly respirable droplets, via dental ultrasonic units is unclear. The purpose of this study was to characterize and map total spatter, droplet and aerosol dispersion during ultrasonic scaling in simulated and clinical contexts. Methods: Ultrasonic scaling was performed on dental simulation units using methylene blue dye‐stained water. All resultant stain profiles were photoanalysed to calculate droplet size and travel distance/direction. Airborne particle concentrations were also documented 0–1.2 m (0–4ft.) and 1.2–2.4 m (4–8ft.) from patients during in vivo ultrasonic scaling with a saliva ejector. Results: Stain profiles showed droplets between 25 and 50µm in diameter were most common, with smaller droplets closer to the mouth. In‐vivo particle concentrations were uniformly low. The smallest (<1 µm, PM1) and largest (>10 µm, PM10+) particles were most common, especially within 1.2 m (4ft.) of the patient. Respirable particles (PM2.5) were uncommon. Conclusions: Tests showed the highest concentration of small droplets in zones nearest the patient. While uncommon, particles were detected up to 2.4 m (8ft.) away. Furthermore, observed particle sizes were consistent with those that can carry infectious agents. Efforts to mitigate the spread of inhalable aerosols should emphasize proximate regions nearest the procedure, including personal protective equipment and the use of evacuation devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Research is integral to dental hygiene practice, graduate education, and the advancement of the dental hygiene profession. The purpose of this study was to identify the motivations and challenges toward participation in research activities as perceived by undergraduate dental hygiene students. Methods: A nonprobability sample of undergraduate dental hygiene students from across the United States was used for this cross-sectional, electronic survey. Inclusion criteria were students entering their final year of their dental hygiene education program. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 333 respondents met the inclusion criteria (n=313). The most frequently cited motivations for participation in research were a good method to contribute to patient care, to improve understanding of medical/academic terms, an interest in developing transferable skills, and a necessary competency a future clinical career. The most frequently cited barriers were lack of time, lack of funds to conduct research projects, lack of formal research courses in curriculum and a lack of interest in research. Significant relationships were found between participation in research activities and education in research (p<.001) and the type of dental hygiene degree program and participation in research activities (p<.01). Students with previous research experience were significantly more likely to be encouraged by previous participation in research experiences than students without previous research experience (p<.01). Conclusion: Understanding the perceived motivations and challenges for research among undergraduate dental hygiene students, can help direct efforts to foster interest and overcome barriers to pursuing future research activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Periodontal therapy disrupts the biofilm harbouring calculus that triggers inflammation. The explorer is primarily used for calculus detection, and the ultrasonic instrument is primarily used for calculus removal. The efficiency in dental hygiene care may improve if the ultrasonic instrument could be used in both calculus detection and removal. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate the effectiveness of calculus detection between the Thinsert® ultrasonic insert and the 11/12 explorer. Methods: Upon IRB approval, this validation study involved three dental hygiene faculty from the Ohio State University Dental Hygiene Program and 30 patient participants from the Ohio State University community. Using both instruments, calculus was evaluated on Ramfjord index teeth and on four possible surfaces per tooth. Data were analysed to evaluate for interrater reliability, intrarater reliability, sensitivity, and specificity. Results: For interrater reliability, the average measure of intraclass coefficient (ICC) value was 0.782 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.749‐0.810 (F(1439, 2878) = 4.852, P < 0.01). For intrarater reliability, mean Kappa averages were in the full agreement range (κ = 0.726, n = 2160, P < 0.01). When using the Thinsert® for calculus detection, the sensitivity was 75%, specificity was 97%, PPV was 81%, and NPV was 94%. Conclusion: Since calculus evaluation was comparable when using the ODU 11/12 explorer and the Thinsert®, efforts can be focused on developing the tactile sensitivity when using the Thinsert® ultrasonic instrument in the assessment, treatment, and maintenance of periodontal disease and the support of oral health. The efficiency in dental hygiene care may improve by using the Thinsert® ultrasonic instrument in both the detection and removal of calculus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background For the globalization of dental hygiene, it is important to identify research categories of dental hygiene studies worldwide. In this article, the current status of dental hygiene research in South Korea was compared with that in the rest of the world. Methods A total of 1,955 articles (1,539 from Korean journals and 416 from international journals) published from journal inception (January 2001 for Korean journals and January 2003 for international journals) to December 2014 were compared and analyzed. Each article was classified by its title according to three criteria: (1) research topic; (2) US National Dental Hygiene Research Agenda (NDHRA); and (3) Korean academic classification of dental hygiene discipline. Results Korean studies were mostly focused on identifying oral health status (28.6%) according to characteristics of the subject(s) (17.1%), while international studies were mostly interested in identifying oral health status (42.4%) by using oral health care products (26.1%). Health promotion/disease prevention as classified by the NDHRA was the topic most studied in both the Korean (37.2%) and international (51.9%) dental hygiene research. Distribution according to academic classification of dental hygiene disciplines showed the results to be concentrated on social dental hygiene (35.5%) in Korea and on clinical dental hygiene (40.6%) in the international community. Conclusion Korean and international dental hygiene researchers most commonly focus on health promotion and disease prevention. By academic classification, Korean literature focuses on social dental hygiene and international literature on clinical dental hygiene. To enhance the dental hygiene profession, a research agenda for dental hygienists is needed on an international level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental hygiene is defined as the science and practice of the recognition, treatment and prevention of oral diseases. The history of dental hygiene research is considered in the context of the development of the discipline and an emerging infrastructure. Research-related events supporting the growth and maturation of the profession are considered from the early years to the most recent. The benefits of preventive oral health services provided by dental hygienists have been supported by research, and the practice of dental hygiene has expanded as a result of research findings since its inception 100 years ago. Dental hygienists’ engagement in research, however, did not begin until the 1960s as research associates or administrators, primarily with dental researchers as primary investigators. The Journal of Dental Hygiene (JDH) has provided information for dental hygiene practice since 1927, and has been the primary venue for dissemination of dental hygiene research since 1945. Graduate education in dental hygiene at the master’s degree level and the work of early dental hygiene researchers led to the first conference on dental hygiene research in 1982. Over 30 years later, dental hygiene has established a meta-paradigm and defined conceptual models, built an initial infrastructure to support research endeavors and contributed much to the development of dental hygiene as a unique discipline. A doctoral degree in the discipline, continued theory-based research, initiatives to foster collaborations between dental hygiene and other researchers and enhanced capabilities to attract funding to support large scale studies are goals that must be attained through the efforts of future researchers to address the needs for additional development in the discipline of dental hygiene. Dental hygiene research supports the growing discipline and its value to society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Conflicting research exists on the effect that various lights have on in-office tooth whitening. The aim of this study was to determine whether a sodium arc bulb lamp used with 25% hydrogen peroxide shows significant differences in shade using a split-mouth design. Methods Forty-nine subjects meeting study criteria had anterior teeth whitened with a 25% hydrogen peroxide in-office whitening system. The light was used on a randomly selected right or left half of the mouth. The opposing side was whitening only with gel. Shades were recorded using a spectrophotometer before, immediately after, 1 and 2 weeks post-whitening. Sensitivity was also recorded using a visual analogue scale. Values were analysed with a Friedman test with a stepdown Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons. Results All teeth increased in lightness after whitening procedures. The only significant differences between use of the light and without use of the light were on the maxillary arch 1 week after whitening ( P = 0.010). Sensitivity was greatest immediately after whitening but subsided within 1 week of whitening. Conclusions The use of a sodium arc bulb lamp with 25% hydrogen peroxide in-office whitening produces better results on maxillary teeth up to 1 week after whitening is completed. Subjects could not distinguish differences on each side of the mouth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The goal of this paper is to evaluate the PEARL Network's satisfaction with training/support and assess the relationship between practice research coordinators (PRCs) involvement and study participation. Methods: At the PEARL Network 2011 Annual Meeting, an evaluation form was completed by practitioner-investigators and PRCs who attended the annual meeting. Results from the paper evaluation form were entered into an Excel database, and analyzed using the statistical analysis software SPSS. The bivariate correlation test, Pearson Correlation, was conducted, and results were considered significant if p<0.05. Results: During a program evaluation among 84 network respondents, a positive correlation (p=0.004) was found between the number of PRCs and the number of studies in which a site participates. In addition, there was a positive correlation between satisfaction with the training, support and involvement of PRCs in organizing study activities (p=0.008). There was also positive correlation between satisfaction with training/support and the number of PRCs utilized by the office (p=0.039). Conclusion: Practice research coordinators are key members of the research team, and they are important to conducting clinical studies in everyday practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research use is a core component of evidence-based practice (EBP), contributing to improved patient outcomes; however, we know little about factors influencing research use among dental hygienists. The purpose of this study is to examine whether individual's attitudes and organizational context influence dental hygienists' research use. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used to study research use among a geographically stratified probability sample of 1100 Canadian dental hygienists. A translated French-language version was provided for Francophone dental hygienists. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS. Results: Mean responses were highest for conceptual research use (RU) (4.1), followed by overall RU (3.7), direct RU (3.3), and persuasive RU (3.3), on a five-point Likert scale. Internal consistency reliability for attitude and context scales was high (Cronbach's alpha 0.86 and 0.83, respectively). Repeated measures t-tests found significant differences between willingness to implement research and frequency of actually implementing research (P < 0.001 for paired comparisons), and ratings of importance of supportive practice characteristics were significantly higher than their actual presence (P < 0.001 for paired comparisons). A multiple linear regression model found the variables attitude, context, and years of practice explained 19.0% of the variation in responses. Discussion: Significant differences between willingness to implement research and actual implementation, and between perceived importance of supportive practice characteristics and their presence, require exploration of these differences. Conclusion: These findings support the importance of the practice context and individual attitudes for research uptake by dental hygienists. Knowledge translation theories can inform further research and contribute greater explanatory power to this preliminary model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the trends in dental hygienists’ education and regulation in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) to examine whether, since 2003, there has been harmonization in dental hygiene education. Methods: Information and data were obtained via piloted questionnaires and structured interviews with delegates from the International and European Dental Hygienists’ Federations and representatives of the Council of European Chief Dental Officers and by literature review. Results: In the EU/EEA, dental hygienists are legally recognized in 22 countries. Since 2003, there has been an increase in the number of Bachelor degree programmes and in autonomous practice. Entry to the profession is now exclusively via a Bachelor degree in five EU/EEA Member States and pending in two more. Ten Member States have adapted their degree programmes to the European Credit Transfer System. Two Member States combine education for dental hygienists and dental therapists. However, dental hygienists are not recognized by EU law and in five Members States, the introduction of the profession has been opposed by dental associations. Conclusions: For the reasons of wide variations in the standards of preventive care and periodontal therapies, the formal recognition of the dental hygiene profession by EU legislation and agreement on a pan-European curriculum for dental hygiene education leading to defined professional competencies and learning outcomes is required. To achieve this, there is a need for a better collaboration between competent authorities including governments, universities and dental and dental hygienists’ associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The overall purpose of the Buddhi Bangara Project (BBP) is to investigate if oral health promotion (OHP) will be a realistic way to improve the oral hygiene and dental awareness of Nepalese schoolchildren aged 5–12 years. This study is the first aspect of the overall project. Dental hygiene students from Kantipur School of Dentistry, Kathmandu and the Dental Hygiene Programme at the INHOLLAND University in Amsterdam were actively involved in this assessment phase as well as the implementation phase which included oral health education activities. This descriptive study is the first phase of a larger longitudinal study directed towards improving the oral health of children in Nepal. Methods: The first phase involves the assessment of children in several schools, one of which acts as a control group. It is directed toward the baseline data collected prior to the implementation of the OHP initiatives. Qualitative data on knowledge about oral health was collected through observations and a questionnaire. The World Health Organization community index of treatment needs was used to assess the clinical status of the participants. Results: The data show that knowledge about preventing oral diseases is high, but awareness about the benefits of fluoride is low. It also suggests that the oral health of the examined children is affecting their quality of life in several different ways. The social status of participants appears to influence their dietary intake as well as their choice of professionals to visit when experiencing pain. Conclusion: It appears that children in Nepal have oral health problems and oral health does appear to influence their quality of life. The impact of the OHP activities have yet to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene is the property of Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The practice of dental hygiene was developed to provide oral health education and preventive oral health care, originally for children. It has grown to provide oral health services valued by a broad spectrum of society, but has not attained the desired respect and status accorded to other professional groups. Objective: Professional disciplines link actions of practitioners with the science that is the foundation of practice. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether dental hygiene practice could benefit from pursuit of development as a discipline. Methods: Literature on professionalization and disciplines, related to dental hygiene in general and the North American context specifically, was retrieved from databases and grey sources, such as organizational reports. Dental hygiene's current characteristics relative to a discipline were examined. Results: Dental hygiene has developed some characteristics of a discipline, such as identifying a metaparadigm that includes concepts of the client, the environment, health/oral health and dental hygiene actions, with a perspective that includes a focus on disease prevention and oral health promotion. However, research production by dental hygienists has been limited, and often not situated within theoretical or conceptual frameworks. Conclusion: Dental hygiene draws its knowledge for practice from a variety of sources. Dental hygiene could strengthen its value to society by prioritizing development of highly skilled researchers to study interventions leading to improved oral outcomes, and transferring that knowledge to practitioners, strengthening links between practice and science. Intentional pursuit of knowledge for practice would lead to dental hygiene's eventual emergence as a professional discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As dental hygiene responds to the increased need for quality oral health services, dental hygienists seek quality research findings on which to base their practice decisions. However, the amount of research published by dental hygienists, and addressing dental hygiene interventions, remains limited. There are few dental hygienists in Canada working in positions that have time dedicated to research activities. To increase the amount of dental hygiene research, innovative approaches such as collaborative research must be considered. This paper considers measures that facilitate the conduct of collaborative research, and discusses challenges to the process that should be considered during the design. An example of a group investigation is presented, involving dental hygiene educators who collaborated on a research project implemented within their respective educational institutions. A model for a collaborative approach to future research initiatives is proposed. Lessons learned are shared and recommendations are put forward. It is suggested that innovative collaborations such as this may help to increase the body of knowledge for dental hygiene in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights the activities and topics discussed at the 81st annual session of the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHD) in the U.S. Indication on the actions and reports of ADHA officers and senior staff; Efforts of the organization to build infrastructure to base actions on facts; Approval of two resolutions to define the advanced dental hygiene practitioner by the ADHD House of Delegates.

The article relates the experience of Mary Alice Gaston, editor-in-chief of the "Journal of Dental Hygiene." It mentions the goals of Gaston for the betterment of the journal. It also relates her views on the implications of the modification of the journal to electronic format. Gaston believes that the journal contains high quality dental hygiene scientific reports regardless of the journal format.

Objective: The interest in the study of the tongue papillary niches and the related biofilm has increased in recent years because they form a suitable source of periodontal microorganisms and are associated with development of halitosis. Tongue dorsum structure represents a factor favoring a particular and complex bacterial biofilm where periodontal pathogens are frequently found. The aim of this preliminary study was to associate the tongue papillary structure with the biofilm causing halitosis by means of a new clinical protocol., Material and Methods: In this study, one subject affected by oral malodor was selected and included. A photograph of lingual dorsum was taken to spot the areas with visible lingual coating. A tongue dorsum impression was obtained, divided and cut with a blade in six parts, according to Winkel Tongue Coated Index by means of the 2-step double-mix impression technique. The contours of the six parts were observed by the stereomicroscope LEICA LED2000 and analyzed by ImageJ software., Results: The results showed that the depth of papillae was associated with visible presence of the tongue biofilm and indirectly correlated with halitosis in patients.., Conclusions: The morphological papillary structure of the tongue dorsal surface influences the presence of the tongue biofilm. The presented protocol can be further considered in clinical application for a correct diagnosis and a personalized treatment of halitosis., Competing Interests: Authors declare they have no conflict of interest.

Abstract: Although remarkable growth has occurred in the dental hygiene research arena, an increased emphasis on research development will facilitate the designation of dental hygiene as a true discipline. Background: Dental hygienists have participated in research for nearly 100 years. Support for research development has increased due to contributions of the American Dental Hygienists' Association and other grant monies that have funded seminal educational endeavors to elevate the research skills of dental hygienists. Dental hygiene initiated research endeavors, the advent of doctoral degree programs in dental hygiene, expansion of the dental hygiene body of knowledge, and efforts toward interprofessional collaboration continue to elevate the profession of dental hygiene while addressing the oral health needs of the public. Methods: The research focus in dental hygiene is reviewed. Landmark events that have supported research endeavors are described and examples of historically important global contributions made by dental hygienists are chronicled. Conclusions: Further development of a body of dental hygiene research will help position the profession alongside other academically recognized health care disciplines. A small, dedicated group of dental hygienists have worked toward advancing the profession in this way, but additional growth is essential if dental hygiene is to be considered a true discipline. One such initiative on the near horizon is the doctoral degree in dental hygiene. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]