Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://hdl.handle.net/2440/111208
Citations | ||
Scopus | Web of Science® | Altmetric |
---|---|---|
?
|
?
|
Type: | Journal article |
Title: | Practice characteristics and service provision rates of dental hygienists in Australia |
Author: | Amarasena, H.D.N.A.J.I.T.H. Teusner, D. Brennan, D. Satur, J. |
Citation: | International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 2017; 16(1):125-133 |
Publisher: | Wiley-Blackwell |
Issue Date: | 2017 |
ISSN: | 1601-5029 1601-5037 |
Statement of Responsibility: | N Amarasena, DN Teusner, DS Brennan, J Satur |
Abstract: | Introduction: Dental hygienists (DHs) have been practising in Australia since the early 1970s. Objective: This study describes the clinical activity of Australian DHs. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to members of two professional associations representing DHs. Practitioner characteristics, employment characteristics and clinical activity on a self-reported typical practice day were collected. The proportion of each service item of all services provided was estimated. Associations between practice characteristics and service provision were assessed by log-binomial regression models. Results: Adjusted response rate was 60.6%. Of the DHs included in analysis (n=341), 80% were employed in general practice, and nearly all (96%) worked in the private sector. About half (53.7%) of all service provided were preventive services, and one-fourth (23.9%) were diagnostic. Service provision varied by practice and practitioner characteristics, with the largest variations observed by practice type. Unadjusted analysis showed that general practice DHs provided a higher mean number of periodontal instrumentation and coronal polishing (0.92 vs 0.26), fluoride applications (0.64 vs 0.08), oral examinations (0.51 vs 0.22) and intraoral radiographs (0.33 vs 0.07) per patient visit and a lower mean number of impressions (0.05 vs 0.17) and orthodontic services (0.02 vs 0.59) than specialist practice DHs. In adjusted analysis, rates of periodontal services also significantly varied by practice type; other associations persisted. Conclusion: Service provision of DHs varied by practice type. Practice activity was dominated by provision of preventive services while provision of periodontal treatments, fissure sealants and oral examinations was relatively limited indicating areas in which DHs are possibly underutilized. |
Keywords: | Dental hygienists; general practice; practice characteristics; service provision; specialist practice |
Rights: | © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd |
DOI: | 10.1111/idh.12301 |
Grant ID: | http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1031310 |
Published version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/idh.12301 |
Appears in Collections: | Aurora harvest 3 Dentistry publications |
Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.