Are dental hygienists ready for patients with disabilities? Findings from a statewide survey on their training and comfort level in treating patients with disabilities

Background: A dental hygienist (DH) has an important role in improving patients' oral health through a) assessment, b) screening, c) education, and d) teeth cleaning. In performing these roles effectively with patients with disability who have a wide range of physical, cognitive and sensory limitations, a DH is anticipated to have some skills in accommodating their needs. Yet, there is little information available about the degree of their training and levels of their comfort in treating persons with disabilities. Method: A statewide survey of registered dental hygienists (n=3955) was conducted in 2010. For each of the following three groups of patients (those with physical, cognitive, and sensory limitation), respondents were asked 1) if they have ever received training on treating them and 2) where they received the training, and 3) how well-prepared they felt to treat them. Results: The majority of the DHs indicated that they had some training in treating each of the three patients groups mostly from their hygienist school. Across the three patient groups, the proportion of DHs who receivedno training” to treat them differed significantly from 8.1% for physical limitation, 15.5% for cognitive limitation, and 23.2% for sensory limitation (p < .000). Similarly, the proportion of DHs who consider themselves “well-prepared” was highest in treating patients with physical limitation (95.5%), followed by those with cognitive limitation (88.3%), then patients with sensory limitation (85.5%) (p < .000). Conclusion: DHs were least trained and felt least prepared in treating patients with sensory limitation.