Edgington E, Pimlott J
Dental Hygiene Program, University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
J Dent Hyg. 2000 Fall;74(4):261-70.
The three main objectives of this study were to assess if the Alberta, Canada public perceives dental hygienists as competent to practice without the supervision of a dentist, whether or not they would choose to be treated by independent dental hygienists, and if they believed that these services should be covered by dental insurance.
The University of Alberta population research lab conducted a random digit dialing telephone survey of Alberta residents, regarding access to dental hygiene services and willingness to visit an independent dental hygiene practitioner. There were 1,202 residents (49.6% males and 50.4% females, 18-64 years), evenly distributed among urban and rural areas, who were interviewed. The estimated sampling error, at the 95% confidence level, was accurate + 2.9%.
Of the respondents, 65.8% stated that they would visit an independent dental hygienist and that dental hygienists should have the ability to provide services, within their scope of practice, without being supervised. This response was consistent, irrespective of the geographic area, gender or income. When asked about their reasons for choosing an independent dental hygienist, 68.8% believed visiting a dental hygienist is important in the healthy treatment of their mouth, while 58.4% wanted the freedom to choose, and 56.3% believed dental hygiene care would save them money. They also indicated that they would visit an independent dental hygienist in a variety of sites, including a health center (45%), a mobile clinic (21.5%), an independent practice site (45%), and in a dentist's office (64.9%). Ninety-two percent of the respondents said that independent dental hygiene services should be covered by dental insurance.
The results show that the public supports dental hygienists gaining independent practice, and that they trust the level of care provided by the dental hygiene profession.
本研究的三个主要目标是评估加拿大艾伯塔省公众是否认为口腔卫生士有能力在无需牙医监督的情况下执业，他们是否会选择由独立口腔卫生士进行治疗，以及他们是否认为这些服务应由牙科保险覆盖。
艾伯塔大学人口研究实验室对艾伯塔省居民进行了随机数字拨号电话调查，内容涉及获得口腔卫生服务的情况以及拜访独立口腔卫生从业者的意愿。共有1202名居民（男性占49.6%，女性占50.4%，年龄在18至64岁之间）接受了访谈，他们在城乡地区均匀分布。在95%置信水平下，估计抽样误差精确到±2.9%。
在受访者中，65.8%表示他们会拜访独立口腔卫生士，并且口腔卫生士应有能力在其执业范围内提供服务而无需监督。无论地理区域、性别或收入如何，这一回答都是一致的。当被问及选择独立口腔卫生士的原因时，68.8%的人认为拜访口腔卫生士对口腔健康治疗很重要，58.4%的人希望有选择的自由，56.3%的人认为口腔卫生护理能省钱。他们还表示会在多种场所拜访独立口腔卫生士，包括健康中心（45%）、流动诊所（21.5%）、独立执业场所（45%）以及牙医诊所（64.9%）。92%的受访者表示独立口腔卫生服务应由牙科保险覆盖。
结果表明公众支持口腔卫生士获得独立执业资格，并且他们信任口腔卫生行业提供的护理水平。
