Advocacy for the Provision of Dental Hygiene Services within the Hospital Setting: Development of a Dental Hygiene Student Rotation

• Published in: The journal of evidence-based dental practice 2016-06, Vol.16, p.129-135
• Main Authors: Juhl, Jacqueline A., RDH, BS, MS, Stedman, Lynn, RDH, BS, MEd, MA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advocacy; Dental Care; Dental hygiene; Dental Hygienists - education; Dentistry; Education; Hospital based dental hygiene practice; Humans; Interdisciplinary; Oral Hygiene; Student; Students, Dental
• ISSN: 1532-3382; 1532-3390
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jebdp.2016.01.023

Abstract Declarative Title Educational preparation of dental hygiene students for hospital-based practice, along with advocacy efforts promote inclusion of dental hygienists within hospital-based interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Background and Purpose While the value of attending to the oral care needs of patients in critical care units has been recognized, the potential impact of optimal oral healthcare for the general hospital population is now gaining attention. This article describes a hospital-based educational experience for dental hygiene students, and provides advocacy strategies for inclusion of dental hygienists within the hospital interdisciplinary team Methods The dental hygienist authors, both educators committed to evidence-based oral healthcare and the profession of dental hygiene, studied hospital healthcare and recognized a critical void in oral healthcare provision within that setting. They collaboratively developed and implemented a hospital-based rotation within the curriculum of a dental hygiene educational program utilizing advocacy skills to encourage hospital administrators to include a dental hygiene presence within hospital-based care teams. Conclusions Hospital-based dental hygiene practice, as part of interprofessional healthcare delivery, has the potential improve patient well-being, shorten hospital stays, and provide fiscal savings for patients, institutions, and 3rd party payers. Advocacy efforts can promote dental hygienists as members of hospital-based healthcare teams. Further research is needed to document: 1) patient outcomes resulting from optimal oral care provision in hospitals, 2) best ways to prepare dental hygienists for career opportunities within hospitals and other similar health care settings, and 3) most effective advocacy strategies to promote inclusion of dental hygienists within care teams.