Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene (CJDH)

Background: Burnout syndrome is the result of prolonged occupational stress. The syndrome has 3 dimensions: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA). This study aimed to examine the prevalence of the 3 dimensions of burnout in dental hygienists in Nova Scotia, Canada, (N = 745) as they returned to work during the COVID-19 pandemic following a furlough; to explore the effect of burnout during COVID-19 on dental hygienists’ professional lives; and to determine the tools and methods that dental hygienists use to overcome burnout. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were asked to complete an anonymous survey inclusive of demographic information, employment characteristics, the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS [MP]), and 2 open-ended questions. Results: The response rate was 34.9% (n = 260). Approximately one-third (36.2%) of respondents met the criteria for burnout. Contributors to burnout were time, providing dental hygiene care, expectations of dentists, physical and mental health, lack of autonomy, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Reported mechanisms to overcome occupational stress centred on work–life balance, social support networks, working in a positive environment, and physical activity. Discussion: This study took place during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have influenced the rate of burnout among dental hygienists, particularly within the EE domain where scores were twice as high as those reported in pre-COVID-19 studies. Conclusion: Dental hygienists may be at risk for burnout. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of burnout and implementing healthy behaviours may reduce its detrimental effects.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of peer-led preventive oral health education for elementary school-aged children. Methods: A controlled, nonrandomized interventional study included children in grades 4 to 6 (N = 372) from 6 schools in British Columbia, Canada. The control group (3 schools) received a class-based lecture on oral health. In the intervention group (3 schools), each sixth grader mentored a small group of fourth and fifth graders. The study outcomes were 1) need for oral care referrals (visual screening); 2) oral health knowledge (self-reports); 3) oral self-care practice (OSC-P); and 4) oral self-care skills (OSC-S). Assessments of OSC-P and OSC-S were based on disclosed dental biofilm levels. Study group comparisons were done at baseline and 8 to 12 months. Results: A high need for oral care referrals was found, with a substantial reduction achieved during the study period. Dietary knowledge improved minimally in the intervention group. In both study groups and within age groups, there was a wide variation in OSC-P and OSC-S. Overall, children’s OSC-P scores were substantially higher than their OSC-S scores. Oral self-care outcomes improved over time in both groups (except for fourth graders in the control group), with a more substantial improvement in the intervention group. From baseline to study end, the mean OSC-P improved by 11.9% (intervention group) and 5.9% (control group). Improvement values for OSC-S were 12.8% and 5.2%. Conclusions: The need for oral care referrals was reduced, but improvement in oral health knowledge was minimal. Oral self-care outcomes improved more in the intervention than in the control group.

Background: As more adults reach advanced age with natural teeth, there is an increasing need for dental and dental hygiene practices to provide care for older adults and individuals living with dementia. Little is known about how well these populations are accommodated in private practice. Methods: Following approval from the Research Ethics Board at Mount Allison University, a survey was sent to the 517 practising dental hygienists in New Brunswick, Canada. They were asked to rate on 5-point scales their geriatric oral care knowledge, their willingness to receive more education on the topic, and how frequently they adjusted their care provision to meet the needs of older (age 70+) clients and those living with dementia. Results: A total of 121 dental hygienists responded (23.4% response rate). Overall, respondents were willing to learn more about geriatric care, but lacked knowledge about the oral health effects of certain medications frequently used by older adults, and about techniques for accessing the oral cavity of clients with dementia. Many accommodations recommended by geriatric specialists were not consistently carried out. Discussion: Given that older adults and adults with dementia make up an increasingly large part of the population in need of oral care, geriatric and dementia oral care needs should be emphasized in dental and dental hygiene practices and continuing education for dental hygienists. Conclusion: More research is required on the impact of integrating accommodations for older clients and clients with dementia into clinical practice, as well as how oral care is experienced by these populations.

Background: Medical and dental schools have long-established pedagogical approaches to teacher-centred face-to-face learning. The 3-year baccalaureate dental hygiene (DH) program at the University of Alberta, which enrolls 42 students of diverse ages and experiences each year, is no exception. Oral Biology II (OBIOL 302) is an intermediate-level course in the DH program; it was moved to an asynchronous online format to manage the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. This mixed-method study explores the factors affecting the dental hygiene student experience in this online, asynchronous learning environment. Methods: This study used a quantitative anonymous survey with a 5-point Likert scale to evaluate the workload and flexibility of the course as well as student acceptance of the assessments. The mean score and standard deviation were calculated for each question in the online survey. A research facilitator conducted interviews using a semi-structured interview guide to further explore student experiences. The qualitative data were then analyzed using a 6-step method of thematic analysis. Results: The study participants found the format and workload of the online course appropriate and well-suited to the spring term. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data revealed 3 intersecting elements—course structure, communication, and non-curricular aspects—as the key factors shaping student experiences in an online environment. Conclusion: This study identified the major factors affecting the online learning experience of students from the students’ point of view, which will be a useful guide to design more effective online courses for health science education.

Individuals experiencing homelessness face unique barriers to oral health care. In collaboration with local universities in Ottawa, Canada, research was conducted to explore the experiences of Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO) clients in accessing oral health care. CVO utilizes a One Health approach, providing preventive veterinary care alongside human health care services to promote health service uptake among pet owners experiencing homelessness. Based on the results of 4 research projects, this short communication proposes recommendations for promoting accessible oral health care and increasing service uptake at One Health clinics by CVO clients experiencing homelessness. Relevant themes leading to the recommendations were 1) barriers to care, including financial and individual circumstances, and discrimination by service providers; and 2) facilitators of care, including the presence of pets, compassionate care, and care received in community settings. Recommendations to improve accessibility of oral health services for CVO clients are 1) continuation of pet-friendly services; 2) delivery of oral health care in alternative settings; and 3) reduction of discrimination through continuing education for oral health professionals. It is hypothesized that the implementation of these recommendations will improve oral health care service accessibility and uptake among clients at CVO clinics and in the community.