The multicultural knowledge of registered dental hygienists: a pilot study.

PURPOSE

In a 1990 report to the nation (Healthy People 2000), the United States Public Health Service identified members of certain racial and ethnic minority groups as experiencing above average incidences of caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. To help improve healthcare offered these populations, it is now recommended that it be planned and presented in a manner that is compatible with their existing cultural values and beliefs. The purpose of this study was to examine (1) dental hygienists' knowledge of the values, beliefs, lifestyles, and health practices of four ethnic minority groups--African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans; and (2) the effects of dental hygienists' age, education, and amount of professional experience level on such knowledge.

METHODS

A total of 30 registered dental hygienists completed a 20-item Knowledge of Cultures Test and a demographic questionnaire during the summer of 1991. The data were analyzed by means of the independent t-test.

RESULTS

The findings indicate that the respondents possess a low level of multicultural knowledge of the values, beliefs, lifestyles, and health practices of ethnic minority groups. The dental hygienists' age, education, and amount of professional experience had no significant effects on the level of multicultural knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that curricula within dental hygiene programs need to be planned and taught from a transcultural perspective to help students develop the knowledge necessary to plan beneficial care for clients from ethnic minority groups.