Johnson Patricia M
PMJ Consultants, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Int Dent J. 2009 Apr;59(2):63-77; quiz 62.
This international longitudinal study examines trends and changes in dental hygiene. Information was collected from national dental hygienists' associations through a series of five surveys conducted between 1987 and 2006; sample sizes increased from thirteen to twenty-five countries. As dental hygiene has evolved, it has remained remarkably consistent globally, in particular its scope of clinical practice. Regarding historical development, predominant work setting, and professional organisation, the profession was more similar than dissimilar. Greater variation existed regarding the supply, education, regulation, workforce behaviour and remuneration of dental hygienists. Over the 19-year period, there was a marked increase in supply accompanied by improved dental hygienist-to-population and to-dentist ratios, continuing high workforce participation rates, shift to and increase in the number of baccalaureate-level education programmes, and increase in scope of practice and professional autonomy including, for many countries, a decline in mandatory work supervision and slight increase in independent practice. By 2006, the profiles reflected the vast majority of the world's population of dental hygienists. While the rate of change varied, its nature was consistent overall, resulting in a continuing homogeneity in the profession worldwide. Observed trends and persisting issues have implications for service accessibility and technical efficiency and should continue to be monitored.
这项国际纵向研究考察了口腔卫生保健的趋势和变化。通过在1987年至2006年间开展的一系列五次调查，从各国口腔卫生保健员协会收集了信息；样本数量从13个国家增加到25个国家。随着口腔卫生保健的发展，其在全球范围内保持了显著的一致性，尤其是在临床实践范围方面。在历史发展、主要工作环境和专业组织方面，该职业的相似性大于差异性。在口腔卫生保健员的供应、教育、监管、劳动力行为和薪酬方面存在较大差异。在这19年期间，供应显著增加，同时口腔卫生保健员与人口以及与牙医的比例有所提高，劳动力参与率持续保持在较高水平，转向并增加了学士学位水平教育项目的数量，实践范围和专业自主权有所扩大，包括许多国家强制工作监督减少，独立执业略有增加。到2006年，这些概况反映了世界上绝大多数口腔卫生保健员的情况。虽然变化速度各不相同，但其总体性质是一致的，导致全球该职业持续保持同质化。观察到的趋势和持续存在的问题对服务可及性和技术效率有影响，应继续进行监测。
