Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
September 2009
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Vol:
10
Issue:
3

Proposals for a dental care professional qualification in special care dentistry: results of a UK survey

Aim and objectives: To investigate demographic details, scope of practice, mandatory training, opportunities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and interest in a post-qualification course in Special Care Dentistry (SCD) amongst dental hygienists and dental therapists working in the United Kingdom. Design: There were 5,224 dental hygienists and 461 dental therapists identified as registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) for 2006 and permitted to practise within the United Kingdom. A self-administered questionnaire was designed for data collection. A copy of the questionnaire was sent to all dental hygienists and dental therapists with registered addresses in Wales and one in ten of those with registered addresses in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, giving a sample of 630. Results: A total of 262 completed questionnaires were returned after one mailing, a response rate of 41.6%. The results reveal some interesting trends that may be relevant to the development and implementation of a dental hygienist /therapist qualification in SCD. Conclusions: This study has shown that training courses in SCD for dental hygienists and dental therapists are likely to be highly valued and well-attended provided that funding issues are resolved. The authors suggest that such courses should, ideally, be overseen by one group and that closer links between dental hygiene/therapy and dental undergraduate training should be developed.

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£15.00
Page Start
115
Page End
121
Authors
Lindsay Hunter, Sue Hilton, Colleen Rooney, Neil McCusker, Janet Griffiths, Gillian Jones

Articles from this issue

  • Title
  • Pg. Start
  • Pg. End

  1. Editorial - Time for vision
  2. 98
  3. 98

  1. Provision of oral healthcare and support in care homes in Scotland
  2. 99
  3. 106

  1. The placement of implants in patients who are medically or intellectually compromised.
  2. 107
  3. 114

  1. Proposals for a dental care professional qualification in special care dentistry: results of a UK survey
  2. 115
  3. 121

  1. Oral health status and oral impact on daily performance in an adult population with leprosy living in rural Tanzania
  2. 124
  3. 130

  1. Cowden’s syndrome impacting on oral health: considerations for the oral healthcare worker
  2. 131
  3. 134

  1. Cognitive behavioural therapy and severe needle phobia – a case study
  2. 135
  3. 138

  1. Hajdu Cheney syndrome: a case report
  2. 139
  3. 143

  1. Diary Dates 2009-2010
  2. 144
  3. 144

2024 rates