DeVore P L, Whitacre H L, Cox S S
Division of Dental Hygiene, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA.
Focus Ohio Dent. 1993 Spring-Summer;67(1):2-3, 11.
One of the most significant issues in the dental hygiene profession is the recruitment of qualified applicants. Throughout the decade of the 80s, a dramatic decline in enrollment has occurred in dental hygiene programs across the nation. According to recent demographic reports, there are fewer individuals in the age group where dental hygiene students are traditionally recruited and no significant change is expected. Therefore, in order to maintain and improve the pool of students preparing for a career in dental hygiene, it is critical that an attempt be made to understand the forces which lead students to choose the health care profession. A study was conducted using baccalaureate alumni and three classes in the baccalaureate degree dental hygiene program at The Ohio State University in order to determine why they had chosen the career of dental hygiene. This study was subsequently expanded to include students enrolled in eight associate degree dental hygiene programs in Ohio. The results from the survey indicate that career decisions are made at varying points in the educational process. Dentists and dental hygienists account for half of the influence in the decision process with high school guidance counselors having negligible influence. Nearly all respondents chose working with people as the top career benefit. Those findings point to the importance of involving dental and dental hygiene professionals in the recruitment process and the necessity to provide appropriate information to others who may provide career counseling.
口腔卫生专业领域最重大的问题之一是招募合格的申请者。在整个20世纪80年代，全国范围内口腔卫生专业课程的入学人数急剧下降。根据最近的人口统计报告，传统上招募口腔卫生专业学生的年龄组中的人数减少，且预计不会有显著变化。因此，为了维持和改善准备从事口腔卫生职业的学生群体，关键是要尝试去了解促使学生选择医疗保健职业的因素。俄亥俄州立大学对口腔卫生专业学士学位毕业生和该专业学士学位课程的三个班级进行了一项研究，以确定他们选择口腔卫生职业的原因。该研究随后扩大到包括俄亥俄州八个口腔卫生专业副学士学位课程的学生。调查结果表明，职业决策是在教育过程中的不同阶段做出的。牙医和口腔卫生师在决策过程中的影响力占一半，而高中指导顾问的影响力微乎其微。几乎所有受访者都选择与人共事作为首要职业益处。这些发现指出了让牙科和口腔卫生专业人员参与招聘过程的重要性，以及向可能提供职业咨询的其他人提供适当信息的必要性。
