Developing the core knowledge system of dental hygienists training in China: a modified Delphi study.

BACKGROUND

Dental hygienists are professionals engaged in oral disease prevention, oral health care, and auxiliary diagnosis and treatment. Despite the continuous improvement of dental services, the current training model for dental hygienists in China may not be able to meet the needs of dental diagnosis and treatment in China in the next two to three decades. It is urgent to carry out continuing education training for dental nurses currently performing roles similar to those of dental hygienists so that they can truly address the public oral health needs during the transition period of dental hygienists cultivating in China. Therefore, the aim of this study was to construct a core knowledge system for dental hygienist training to provide a theoretical basis for continuing education.

METHODS

We used a modified Delphi study design. A literature review, theoretical research and expert panel discussion (n = 15) were used to construct an initial core knowledge system. Through two rounds of Delphi expert consultation (n = 21), consensus was reached using online or paper questionnaires, and descriptive statistical analysis was used. Consensus criteria were defined as the mean (≥ 4.0), coefficient of variation (< 0.25), and consensus level of agreement (≥ 70%).

RESULTS

The final core knowledge system of dental hygienists training included 3 first-level indicators (theoretical knowledge, professional skills, and professional ethics and attitudes), 37 s-level indicators, and 56 third-level indicators. The effective response rates of the two expert consultation rounds were 100%. The expert authority coefficients of the first and second rounds of consultation were both 0.919. In the second consultation round, Kendall's coefficient of concordance for the primary, secondary, and tertiary indicators were 0.333, 0.536, and 0.592, respectively (P ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The developed core knowledge system of dental hygienist training was scientific, reasonable and comprehensive, which can provide reference for the training and assessment of dental nurses to be competent for the position of dental hygienist.