Perceptions of Dental Hygienists' Role on the Prenatal Care Team
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Eastern Washington University EWU Digital Commons EWU Masters Thesis Collection Student Research and Creative Works Fall 2019 Perceptions of Dental Hygienists' role on the prenatal care team Lisa Westhoff Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.ewu.edu/theses Part of the Dental Hygiene Commons, and the Pediatric Dentistry and Pedodontics Commons Perceptions of Dental Hygienists’ Role on the Prenatal Care Team A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Science in Dental Hygiene in the College of Graduate Studies Eastern Washington University by Lisa Westhoff RDH, BSDH Fall 2019 Major Professor: Lorie Speer RDH, BS, MSDH ii THESIS OF Lisa Westhoff APPROVED BY iii PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM MASTER’S THESIS In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master’s degree at Eastern Washington University, I agree that the JFK Library shall make copies freely available for inspection. I further agree that copying of this project in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without my written permission. iv PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM Human Subjects Approvals v PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM vi PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM vii PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM viii PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM ix PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM x PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine dental hygienists’ perceptions of their role on the prenatal care team and perceptions of obstetricians towards the role of dental hygienists as part of the prenatal care team. Methods: Data was collected from an anonymous electronic Likert-style survey sent to obstetricians at Denver Health and Hospitality Authority (DHHA) and Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association (CODHA) members. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics to provide an overview of survey data from all three subscales: knowledge (subscale 1), scope (subscale 2), and perceptions (subscale 3) and the standard t-Test to determine differences between demographics (collaboration with an obstetrician, highest level of education, and public health experience) and subscales. Results: The perceptions of obstetricians were not evaluated since the response rate (n=2) was not representative of the population. Whereas, the perceptions of dental hygienists were represented (N=106). Overall, surveyed Colorado dental hygienists (N=106) had a positive perception in all subscales respectively (M=4.4638, M=4.7529, M=4.7864). However, there are some outliers worth noting. Dental hygienists perceived dental radiographs and dental treatment more negatively with more variance. Independent sample t-test suggests having practiced with an obstetrician and in public health makes a significant difference in all subscale scores. Conclusion: Dental hygienists are in a position to use current practice guidelines to provide preventive oral health care and be an integral member of the prenatal care team. xi PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM Acknowledgements I want to thank my thesis chair Lorie Speer for her steady guidance and support throughout my thesis. I also want to thank my committee members Sarah Jackson and Lucretia Berg for their fresh eyes and suggestions when I needed feedback and recommendations. Most of all, I want to thank my parents for their unwavering encouragement and belief in me. And above all, I want to thank Jerry for always being there and supporting me through all the trials and tribulations. You have kept me going when I doubted myself. I couldn’t have done this without you. PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM xii Table of Contents Abstract……………………………………………………………………… x Acknowledgements………………………………………………………….. xi List of Figures………………………………………………………………… xiv List of Tables………………………………………………………………… xv Introduction/Literature Review……………………………...……………… 1 Introduction to the Research Question…….…………………………… 1 Statement of the Problem………………………………………………… 2 Overview of the Research….…………………………………………… 3 Summary…………………………………………………………………. 27 Methodology………………………………………………………………….. 28 Research Methods or Design…………………………………………………………….. 28 Procedures……….……………………………………………………….. 29 Human Subjects Protection/Informed Consent……………………..… 29 Sample Source/Plan, Size, Description of Setting… ............................................................................................. 29 Variables……………………………………………………………….. 30 Instruments (reliability/validity)… ............................................................. 30 Equipment ................................................................................................. 31 Steps to Implementation…......................................................................... 31 Statistical Analysis .................................................................................... 31 Summary… ..................................................................................................... 32 Results .................................................................................................................. 33 Description of Sample ..................................................................................... 33 Statistical Analysis .......................................................................................... 34 Discussion… ......................................................................................................... 57 Summary of Major Findings ............................................................................ 57 Discussion. ...................................................................................................... 58 Limitations ...................................................................................................... 70 Recommendations/Suggestions for Additional Research .................................................................................................... 71 PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM xiii References ............................................................................................................ 74 Appendices ........................................................................................................... 87 Vita ....................................................................................................................... 91 PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM xiv List of Figures Figures Figure 1: An overview of the IHI Triple AIM ............................................................... 23 PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM xv List of Tables Tables Table 1: Colorado licensed dental hygienists (n=106) .......................................... 34 Table 2: Subscale 1-Knowledge/perceptions of oral health and prenatal care … 36 Table 3: Subscale 2-Knowledge of Colorado dental hygiene scope of practice ...... 38 Table 4: Subscale 3-Perceptions of dental hygienists interprofessional role in the prenatal care team ...................................................................................... 39 Table 5: Subscale 1, 2, and 3 statistics .................................................................. 40 Table 6: DH who have and have not collaborated with an OB .............................. 41 Table 7: Independent Samples t-Test: DH who have and have not collaborated with an OB. ............................................................................................... 42 Table 8: Years licensed. ....................................................................................... 43 Table 9: Independent Samples t-Test: Years licensed …………….…………. 44 Table 10: Level of education ................................................................................ 45 Table 11: Independent Samples t-Test: Level of education ................................... 46 Table 12: Age....................................................................................................... 47 Table 13: Independent Samples t-Test: Age .......................................................... 48 Table 14: Public health ......................................................................................... 49 Table 15: Independent Samples t-Test: Public health ............................................ 50 Table 16: Collaboration benefit theme .................................................................. 53 Table 17: Collaborative benefit quotes .................................................................. 54 Table 18: Envision collaboration themes .............................................................. 56 Table 19: Envision collaboration quotes ............................................................... 56 PERCEPTIONS OF DH ROLE ON THE PRENATAL CARE TEAM xvi Table 20: Dental hygiene career opportunities ...................................................... 62 Table 21: Direct integration of dental hygienists in prenatal care settings ............. 66 Introduction/Literature Review Introduction to the Research Question The increasing recognition of interprofessional collaboration within health care has opened opportunities for dental hygienists to play an essential role outside of traditional clinical dental