Abstract
Background: Dental implant maintenance is crucial to obtain and maintain a healthy peri-implant situation. Although it is part of a dental hygienists (DH) scope of practice, the knowledge and common practices among DHs in the Netherlands are unclear.
Materials and Methods: A web-based survey was distributed by the Dutch Association of DHs, by spreading survey QR codes and snowballing. The role of the different DH curricula 2- or 3-year diploma and a 4-year bachelor's degree is evaluated.
Results: In total, 165 (diploma: 73, bachelor: 92) DHs responded. Peri-implant diseases were well known (98%), indices and clinical symptoms were used to assess peri-implant tissues. A periodontal probe (97%) was used and bone loss was evaluated on radiographs (89%). Treatment was performed supra- and subgingivally (69%), mostly by titanium (45%) or plastic hand instruments (42%). Ultrasonic (52%) and air-abrasive (52%) devices were often used. The recall interval for maintenance was based on a risk-adjusted protocol (70%). DHs with a bachelor's received significantly more training compared to DHs with a diploma during primary education (p < 0.001). Diploma DHs mainly obtained their knowledge from continuing education (p = 0.04). In general, there was no significant difference in knowledge or common practices.
Conclusions: The primary education of DHs with a 2- or 3-year diploma and a 4-year bachelor's varies. Due to the continuing education of diploma DHs, knowledge and common practices generally do not differ. Most DHs in the Netherlands perform implant maintenance. A periodontal probe and radiographs are used for examination. Instrumentation is performed supra- and subgingivally, usually with titanium or plastic hand instruments. The recall interval is based on a patient's risk assessment.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 14-25 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | International Journal of Dental Hygiene |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 28 Jul 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2024 The Author(s). International Journal of Dental Hygiene published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Funding
The authors acknowledge Thomas Knoors who enthusiastically contributed to the translation of the questionnaire, together with the support of Ellen Dekkers and Christina Sbarcea for their practical help in translating the English questionnaire into Dutch. Also, the dental hygienist colleagues Lars Toonen, Lotte Weijdijk and Therese Elkerbout are thanked for their feedback for reviewing the questionnaire before it was completed to ensure its comprehensibility and usability. The Dutch Dental Hygienist Association (Nederlandse Vereniging van Mondhygiënisten, NVM) is recognized for their help in sending out the questionnaire to a random selection of their members. In addition, Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO) is thanked for facilitating one-year parttime study leave by providing the first author a Teachers Scholarship to obtain a master's degree. The Utrecht University is thanked for the feedback of supervisors and peers on the different stages of this project and for offering the statistical support of Research Data Management Support and Studiemeesters. Finally, the authors gratefully acknowledge the National Center for DH Research & Practice, Inc for awarding a 2023 DH Grad Student Research Projects grant to the first author for covering in part costs for the ability to present the present research findings on an international symposium.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Thomas Knoors | |
| Dutch Dental Hygienist Association | |
| Universiteit Utrecht |
Keywords
- dental hygienists
- dental implants
- education
- survey