The Oral Health Workforce Research Center studies dental hygienist (DH) scope of practice and finds great variability in what DHs in different states are allowed to do. Researchers at the Center built a scope of practice scale for DHs, the Dental Hygiene Professional Practice Index (DHPPI) and used it to score state-specific DH scope of practice in 2014. Using 2014 DHPPI scores, researchers found that more autonomous DH scope of practice had a positive and statistically significant association with population oral health. Since broader DH scope of practice is correlated with better oral health outcomes, researchers developed an infographic that allows state-to-state comparisons of DH scope of practice. This presentation highlights the research that supported the development of the DH scope of practice infographic.
Take 20 on the Dental Hygiene Scope of Practice Infographic
Presenters
Topics
Oral HealthScope of Practice (SOP)
Description
Duration
20 minutes
Event Date
September 18, 2018