Dental hygiene student attitudes about benefits of baccalaureate degree and factors impacting entry‐level program choice. Issue 9 (24th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reid, Heather L.; Boyd, Linda D.; Vineyard, Jared
• Is Part Of: Journal of dental education. Volume 85:Issue 9(2021)
• Page Start: 1453
• Page End: 1461
• Publication Date: 2021-04-24
• Subjects: allied health occupations -- dental hygiene education -- dental hygiene programs -- dental hygiene students -- education -- health occupations -- professional; Dentistry -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Dentistry -- Study and teaching; Education, Dental; Dentisterie -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Tandheelkunde; Onderwijs; Periodicals; Periodical; Electronic journals; 617.6007
• DOI: 10.1002/jdd.12626
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0337

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose/objectives: Although the bachelor's degree is the entry‐level degree option supported by the American Dental Hygienists' Association, the majority of dental hygiene programs remain associate degree. The aim of this study was to explore factors impacting entry‐level program choice and examine attitudes and perceptions of dental hygiene students pertaining to a bachelor's degree (BS) as the entry‐level degree. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey research design was utilized with a convenience sample of dental hygiene students ( n = 429) from the United States and Canada. The 33‐item survey had four sections: demographics, factors influencing program choice, attitudes, and perceptions of a BS. Descriptive and inferential analysis was used to explore the relationship between variables. Results: The completion rate was 91% ( n = 384). Factors that most influenced program choice included: location (74%), cost (68%), and time to completion (47.7%). Students with mothers who graduated from college were more likely to rank time to completion as their number one factor (37%) (χ2[df2] = 19.6, p < 0.001, phi = 0.33). Students in bachelor's programs were significantly more likely to believe a bachelor's degree better prepared clinicians for duties required in future practice and that the entry‐level degree should be raised to a bachelor's degree ( p < 0.001). While more students in associate degree program agreed there were opportunities in education without a bachelor's degree ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Cost, time to completion, and location were the factors influencing students' program choice. While the dental hygiene profession advocates raising the entry‐level degree to a bachelor's programs, less than 40% of dental hygiene students supported this change.