Ablah C R, Pickard R B
Department of Public Health Sciences, Wichita State University, USA.
J Dent Hyg. 1998 Spring;72(2):27-34.
This study examined the willingness of dental hygienists to work in long-term care (LTC) facilities providing oral health care to the elderly.
In August 1995, a mail survey of all 839 licensed and practicing dental hygienists in Kansas was conducted. Respondents were asked about their reasons for choosing dental hygiene as a career, perceptions of the adequacy of their education, satisfaction with their work, interest in working with elderly patients, and whether general supervision would influence their willingness to practice in LTC settings. Response rate was 69 percent, with 582 usable questionnaires returned. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests of significance.
The results showed an overwhelming majority (94 percent) of respondents would be willing to work, at least on occasion, in a LTC facility. However, few were interested in full-time geriatric practice. Those indicating a willingness to practice regularly with the elderly, at least part time, were typically less experienced in their field and more likely to perceive their education as having adequately prepared them to care for older patients.
The findings demonstrate dental hygienists' willingness to provide dental care for older adults. To optimize this resource, appropriate education is needed so that students and current practitioners master the distinctive skills necessary to care for this population.
本研究调查了牙科保健员在长期护理（LTC）机构为老年人提供口腔保健服务的意愿。
1995年8月，对堪萨斯州所有839名持牌且执业的牙科保健员进行了邮件调查。调查询问了他们选择牙科保健作为职业的原因、对自身教育充分性的看法、对工作的满意度、与老年患者合作的兴趣，以及一般监督是否会影响他们在长期护理机构执业的意愿。回复率为69%，共收到582份可用问卷。使用描述性统计和卡方显著性检验对数据进行分析。
结果显示，绝大多数（94%）的受访者愿意至少偶尔在长期护理机构工作。然而，很少有人对全职老年护理工作感兴趣。那些表示愿意定期（至少兼职）为老年人提供护理服务的人，通常在该领域经验较少，且更有可能认为自己所接受的教育使他们有足够能力照顾老年患者。
研究结果表明牙科保健员愿意为老年人提供牙科护理服务。为了优化这一资源，需要进行适当的教育，以便学生和在职从业人员掌握照顾这一人群所需的独特技能。
