Johnson P M
PMJ Consultants, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Int Dent J. 2001 Aug;51(4):313-24. doi: 10.1002/j.1875-595x.2001.tb00844.x.
Development of an international longitudinal database to examine patterns, trends and changes in dental hygiene.
Three surveys of national dental hygienists' associations, mainly members of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists. Data were collected by mail in 1987, 1992 and 1998, using a 40-item questionnaire. Sample size increased over time; results presented are based on responses for 13, 15 and 19 countries respectively. Preliminary tabulations were circulated to respondents for validation.
Overall, characteristics of the profession were remarkably similar; most noteworthy was the scope of dental hygiene clinical practice. Regarding historical development, education and professional organisation, the profession was more similar than dissimilar. Greater variation was evident in terms of numbers, distribution, workforce behaviour, predominant work setting and remuneration. While apparent change over the relatively short period 1987 to 1998 was viewed with caution, several observations were of particular interest: marked increases in the supply of dental hygienists, scope of practice and range of practice settings, accompanied by a decline in mandated level of work supervision. A slight but gradual increase in independent dental hygiene practice also was noted.
By 1998 the profiles reflected the vast majority of the world's population of dental hygienists. While rate of change varied across the countries examined, the nature of the change tended to be consistent, resulting in a continuing homogeneity in the profession worldwide. Changes and emerging trends should continue to be monitored in terms of improved access to quality oral health services and technical efficiency in the provision of those services.
建立一个国际纵向数据库，以研究口腔卫生保健的模式、趋势和变化。
对国家口腔卫生工作者协会进行三次调查，主要调查对象为国际口腔卫生工作者联合会的成员。1987年、1992年和1998年通过邮寄方式收集数据，使用一份包含40个条目的问卷。样本量随时间增加；呈现的结果分别基于13个、15个和19个国家的回复。初步统计数据已分发给受访者进行验证。
总体而言，该职业的特征非常相似；最值得注意的是口腔卫生保健临床实践的范围。在历史发展、教育和专业组织方面，该职业的相似之处多于不同之处。在数量、分布、劳动力行为、主要工作环境和薪酬方面存在更大的差异。虽然对1987年至1998年这一相对较短时期内明显的变化持谨慎态度，但有几点观察结果特别令人感兴趣：口腔卫生工作者的供应量、实践范围和实践环境范围显著增加，同时规定的工作监督水平下降。还注意到独立口腔卫生保健实践略有但逐渐增加。
到1998年，这些概况反映了世界上绝大多数口腔卫生工作者的情况。虽然在所研究的国家中变化速度各不相同，但变化的性质往往是一致的，导致全球该职业持续同质化。应继续监测变化和新出现的趋势，以改善获得高质量口腔卫生服务的机会以及提供这些服务的技术效率。
