Welcome to the online home of the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene! This dedicated website offers our global audience easy access to all articles published since 2005, as well as to general information about the journal, its policies, and its manuscript submission procedures.
The Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene (CJDH), established in 1966, is the peer-reviewed research journal of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association. Published online in February, June, and October, CJDH welcomes submissions in English and French on topics of relevance to dental hygiene practice, education, policy, and theory.
To discuss a possible contribution to the journal, please contact the scientific editor at scientificeditor@cdha.ca
For details on the journal’s manuscript formatting and submission requirements, please read our Guidelines for Authors.
IFDH white paper highlights findings from 5 global surveys
Salme E Lavigne, PhD, RDH | Can J Dent Hyg 2024;58(1): 3-6
Original Research
Barriers to pursuing further education among Canadian dental hygienists: a qualitative exploration
Shivalika Katyal MSc, DHP(C); Denise M Laronde PhD, DHP(C); Jolanta Aleksejuniene PhD, DDS; Sharon M Compton PhD, RDH; Zul Kanji EdD, DHP(C) | Can J Dent Hyg 2024;58(1): 9-18
Purpose: In recent years, Canada has seen the development of new educational
pathways to baccalaureate education for dental hygienists. Research has
demonstrated that degree education strengthens dental hygienists’ cognitive and
practice abilities and increases career opportunities. However, the 2021 Canadian
Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) Job Market and Employment Survey reported
that only 27% of respondents held a baccalaureate degree. The current study was
the first to explore levels of interest in and barriers to pursuing degree education
among Canadian diploma-holding dental hygienists. Methods: This qualitative explorative study utilized purposeful maximum variation sampling
to select Canadian dental hygienists across 10 provinces and 1 territory for 3 e-focus groups. Selected participants (N = 17) were CDHA members
who held a dental hygiene diploma as their highest educational credential. E-focus groups were thematically analysed for barriers using Saldaña’s
descriptive and in vivo coding. Results: All participants expressed an interest in pursuing further education at some point during their career. Reported
barriers to doing so were family commitments, financial restrictions, accessibility, limited employer support, unfamiliarity with eligibility criteria,
unfamiliarity with existing programs, stress/anxiety over returning to school, and unfamiliarity with the benefits of earning a degree. Conclusions:
The qualitative research findings supplemented answer options for a subsequent national online research survey distributed to all CDHA members;
results of that survey are not included in this article. National and provincial dental hygiene associations and educational institutions can use the
study findings to develop strategies to reduce barriers and raise awareness of degree education among Canadian dental hygienists.
The use of panoramic radiographs to address the oral health needs of vulnerable Canadian populations
Background: The high demand for oral health care services among vulnerable
individuals combined with limited available resources requires a rethinking of the
provision of oral health services. This study aimed to determine the usefulness of
the dental panoramic radiograph (DPR) as an imaging tool to assess oral health and
prioritize dental interventions in vulnerable patients. Methods: This observational
and retrospective study evaluated charts of patients who attended Public Health
Dental Clinics (PHDC), Alberta Health Services (AHS), in Calgary, Canada, between January 2018 and December 2019. Data collected included sex
and age at the time of image acquisition. The following radiographic findings were gathered: the number of missing, present, decayed, restored,
and impacted teeth; periapical lesions; retained root; periodontal bone loss; odontogenic and non-odontogenic lesions in the jaws; carotid
calcification; and incidental radiographic findings with clinical relevance. Results: Of the 526 DPRs evaluated, 57.4% were from male patients
and 42.6% were from female patients, with a mean age of 38.5 years. The average number of present teeth in females and males was 23.7
and 22.6, respectively. The most prevalent dental-related finding was periodontal bone loss (81.5%), followed by periapical lesions (59.6%) and
impacted teeth (27%). Among non-dental findings, osseous lesions of the jaws were found in 10.4% of the patients, and carotid atheroma had a
frequency of 3.2%. Conclusion: The DPR is a useful adjunct to the clinical exam in this specific population. It provides an opportunistic overview
of their oral health and necessary support to establish priorities in oral health care in a public health setting.
Integrating community service-learning into a dental hygiene curriculum: a document analysis
Kimi Khabra, MSc(DH); Sharon M Compton, PhD, RDH | Can J Dent Hyg 2024;58(1): 26-33
Background: Community service-learning (CSL) aims to promote civic engagement
among students and deepen their understanding of social issues, connecting
students to communities where they may practise as future health care providers.
This study’s aims were two-fold: first, to determine whether incorporating a nondental
community service-learning experience into a fourth-year behavioural
science course can develop abilities related to the dental hygiene baccalaureate
competencies; second, to examine the overall student learning experience.
Methods: Seven community agencies presented projects to the dental hygiene
class, and students individually selected their top 3 choices. Projects were diverse,
ranging from literacy tutoring to creating a program plan or hosting a public
virtual event with an interprofessional health panel discussing nutrition. Dental
hygiene students participated in a 20-hour placement with one community project and completed individual reflection journals that focused
on their experience. Using a document analysis approach, the authors examined the reflection journals through an iterative process to identify
themes. Results: Ten student reflections were analysed and three themes emerged: 1) increased social awareness; 2) application of dental hygiene
core competencies; and 3) the challenges of the learning experience. Students consistently discussed how the project allowed them to apply 5
dental hygiene core competencies and how their learning experience aligned with their future professional role as a dental hygienist. Students
articulated increased understanding of their individual privilege and awareness of social issues in their community. Conclusions: Participation
in non-dental CSL increased dental hygiene students’ social awareness of local communities. Students demonstrated an ability to apply their
learning to their developing competencies as future dental hygienists.
Literature Review
Canadian immigrants’ oral health and oral health care providers’ cultural competence capacity
Lindsay Van Dam, BA, MHS, RDH; Elizabet Diab, BDH, RDH; Jennifer Johnson, BDH, RDH | Can J Dent Hyg 2024;58(1): 34-47
Background: Immigrants to Canada count among the socially disadvantaged
groups experiencing higher rates of oral disease. Culturally competent oral health
care providers (OHCPs) stand to be allies for immigrant oral health. The literature
reveals limited knowledge of practising OHCPs’ cultural competency, and little
synthesis of the topic has been completed. A scoping review is warranted to identify
and map current knowledge of OHCPs’ understanding of culturally competent
care along with barriers and facilitators to developing capacity. Methods: This study was conducted between December 2022 and April 2023
using Arksey and O’Malley’s 5-step framework and PRISMA-ScR checklist. Four databases were searched using keywords related to 4 themes:
population, provider, oral health, and cultural competence. Peer-reviewed articles published in English in the last 10 years were included. Results:
Search results yielded 74 articles. Title and abstract review was completed and an author-developed critical appraisal tool was applied. Forty-six
(46) articles were subject to full-text review and 14 met eligibility criteria: 7 qualitative and 7 quantitative. Six barriers and six facilitators at
individual and systemic levels were identified, affecting oral care for immigrants and providers’ ability to work cross-culturally. Discussion: Lack
of cultural or linguistically appropriate resources, guidance, and structural supports were identified as contributing to low utilization of services
and to lack of familiarity between providers and immigrants. Conclusion: OHCPs’ cultural competency development is required to improve oral
health care access and outcomes for diverse populations. Further research is warranted to identify factors impeding OHCPs’ capacity to provide
culturally sensitive care. Intentional policy development and knowledge mobilization are needed.
Position Paper
Aerosol-generating procedures and associated control/mitigation measures: Position paper from the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association
Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, how to reduce the risk of spreading viruses and other microorganisms while performing aerosolgenerating
procedures (AGPs) has become a challenging question within the dental and dental hygiene communities. The purpose of this position
paper is to summarize the evidence of the effectiveness of various mitigation methods used to reduce the risk of infection transmission during AGPs
in dentistry. Methods: The authors searched 6 databases—MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar—for
relevant scientific evidence published between January 2012 and December 2022 to answer 6 research questions about the risk of transmission,
methods, devices, and personal protective equipment (PPE) used to reduce contact with microbial pathogens and limit the spread of aerosols.
Results: A total of 78 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The literature on the risk of infection transmission including SARS-CoV-2 between
dental hygienists and their patients is limited. Although several mouthrinses are effective in reducing bacterial contaminations in aerosols, their
effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 is also limited. The combined use of eyewear, masks, and face shields is effective in preventing contamination
of the facial and nasal region while performing AGPs. High-volume evacuation with or without an intraoral suction, low-volume evacuation,
saliva ejector, and rubber dam (when appropriate) have shown effectiveness in reducing aerosol transmission beyond the generation site. Finally,
the appropriate combination of ventilation and filtration in dental operatories is effective in limiting the spread of aerosols. Discussion and
Conclusion: Aerosols produced during clinical procedures can pose a risk of infection transmission between dental hygienists and their patients.
The implementation of practices supported by available evidence will ensure greater patient and provider safety in oral health settings. More
studies in oral health clinical environments would shape future practices and protocols, ultimately to ensure the delivery of safe clinical care.
Short Communication
Recurrence of exostosis as a result of medication-induced bruxism: case study
Titas Roy, BDS; Jennifer S Sherry, EdD, RDH | Can J Dent Hyg 2024;58(1): 64-67
Introduction: Alveolar oral exostosis is a common, benign condition routinely found in dentistry. Clinical problems associated with exostoses are
the maintenance of oral hygiene as well as the fabrication of prosthodontic appliances. Over time, exostoses may contribute to irritation and
periodontal disease. Case description: The patient in this case study had a recurrence of exostoses and was bothered by consistent and prominent
pain. She reported being a bruxer; her bruxism was exacerbated due to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and antidepressant medications.
Discussion: The etiology behind the recurrence of exostosis is discussed. The most evident etiology seems to be persistence of medication-induced
bruxism, specifically awake bruxism. Conclusion: It is necessary to take a proper history to identify the cause of the recurrence of exostosis. Dental
hygienists can contribute to a better understanding of and provide better treatment options for patients who have medication-induced bruxism.
Letters to the Editor
Recognizing Iran’s pioneering rural dental hygienist program (1981–1991)