Dental hygienists’ research utilization: influence of context and attitudes

Abstract

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.

Adjunctive screening devices for oral lesions: their use by Canadian Dental Hygienists and the need for knowledge translation

“…FV (VELScope) was the device reported as the most commonly used device and more hygienists reported feeling comfortable using it. Our findings are consistent with standard approaches to improving practice, and additional knowledge translation strategies appear warranted, particularly with the lack of education about the devices in their primary dental hygiene education (54,55). The study lends support to use of continuing education as a key channel for knowledge translation.…”

“…Limitations of this study include the poor response rate and response bias, the limited number of hygienists with experience using ASDs and the limited evidence to date to support their use in general clinical or community practice. The study also did not specifically address attitudes and practice environments, which may make a difference in adoption and maintenance of screening practices as well as the uptake of new technologies in screening .…”

Dental hygiene students’ participation as subjects in a randomized controlled trial: A full evidence‐based dentistry experience

“…Some were policy statements such as those shown above and a few were of the “we should do this” or “this is how we do it” variety 9–12 . The 12 empirically‐based publications all used surveys 13–21 . These were primarily requests for current students or recent graduates to report whether they felt competent to use research or their attitude toward the relevance of research to practice.…”

“…[9][10][11][12] The 12 empirically-based publications all used surveys. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] These were primarily requests for current students or recent graduates to report whether they felt competent to use research or their attitude toward the relevance of research to practice. There are no studies that investigated the impact of teaching research to dental hygienists on changes in their practice patterns or on impacting patients' oral health.…”