Dental hygiene students' clinical self-confidence and management of pediatric clients: Pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Dental hygiene programs must ensure students are competent and confident to meet the oral health needs of pediatric clients. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate dental hygiene students' perceived self-confidence to perform dental hygiene services and manage client behaviour.

METHODS

The study was deemed exempt by the institutional review board. A mixed methods approach evaluated 36 first-year dental hygiene students' perceived self-confidence using an electronically delivered valid survey that consisted of 19 questions on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not at all confident to 5 = totally confident) and 1 reflective question.

RESULTS

The response rate for the survey was 100% (N = 36). Over 60% reported "totally confident" when completing a medical history; formulating and communicating a treatment plan; providing oral hygiene instruction; and applying fluoride varnish. Only 11% (n = 4) reported "totally confident" in exposing radiographs on pediatric clients. Roughly 42% (n = 15) reported "reasonably confident" and 28% (n = 10) reported "totally confident" when managing behaviour throughout the appointment. The multiple regression model explained 64% of the variance and was a significant predictor of managing behaviour, F (6, 29) = 8.70, = 0.000. Reflective responses suggest that clients' age, appointment length, and dental procedures posed behaviour management challenges.

DISCUSSION

The majority of students reported "reasonably" or "totally" confident when performing dental hygiene services. However, more clinical opportunities are warranted to increase self-confidence in managing pediatric clients' behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

A review of pediatric client content and experiences within dental hygiene programs is suggested to ensure graduates are prepared to meet pediatric needs.