ABSTRACT Objectives We aimed to examine whether factors such as interprofessional relationships and educational experiences are associated with interprofessional competency among dental hygienists in Japan. Methods Between September and October 2023, this cross‐sectional study was conducted among 48 dental hygienists from two university hospitals, using the Japanese version of the Self‐assessment Scale of Interprofessional Competency (JASSIC). JASSIC evaluates competencies across six domains: Patient‐/Client‐/Family‐/Community‐Centered, Interprofessional Communication, Role Contribution, Facilitation of Relationships, Reflection, and Understanding of Others. Associations between JASSIC scores and explanatory variables were analysed using Spearman's rank‐order correlation coefficient and the Mann–Whitney U test. Results All 48 participants responded (response rate: 100%). Several background factors were significantly associated with JASSIC scores. In particular, a higher presence of teaching dental hygienists at the workplace was associated with higher scores in Patient‐/Client‐/Family‐/Community‐Centered domain ( p < 0.05). Additionally, higher participation in interprofessional conferences was associated with higher scores in Interprofessional Communication and Understanding of Others domains (both: p < 0.05). Conclusions In this study, active participation in interprofessional conferences and the presence of teaching dental hygienists were significantly associated with interprofessional competency among dental hygienists. These factors were linked to higher communication‐related competency scores and understanding of other professionals. Therefore, collaborative and educational workplace environments may be related to higher interprofessional competency among dental hygienists.
ABSTRACT Background To determine the superior efficacy of real‐time volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) biofeedback via the Oral Chroma as a motivational tool over conventional oral hygiene instruction (OHI) for improving oral hygiene behaviours and clinical parameters in periodontitis patients. Methods This quasi‐experimental, parallel‐group trial enrolled 60 participants (age ≥ 30 years) with periodontitis in accordance with the 2018 AAP/EFP classification. Subjects were allocated to receive either standard‐of‐care OHI alone or supplemental VSCs biofeedback. VSCs levels were evaluated exclusively in the test group at baseline (charting) and at the 2nd oral hygiene check‐up visit. Non‐surgical periodontal therapy was administered to both groups. Clinical periodontal health outcomes, including bleeding on probing (BOP) and plaque index (PI), were assessed at baseline, the 1st and the 2nd oral hygiene check‐up visits. Results The final analysis included 52 participants (Test: n = 28, Control: n = 24). Most participants presented with comparable disease severity ( p = 0.623). The prevalence of Stage III and Stage IV periodontitis was 87.5% ( n = 21) in the control and 82.1% ( n = 23) in the test group. Although the test group exhibited significantly higher baseline BOP compared to the control (68.3% vs. 48.4%; p = 0.025), both groups demonstrated significant longitudinal improvements in PI and BOP ( p < 0.001). Notably, by the 2nd oral hygiene check‐up visit, inter‐group BOP differences were not significant, with both groups reaching comparable levels (test: 22.6% vs. control: 22.5%; p = 0.295). Given the initial 20 percentage‐point difference, the greater absolute reduction in the test group may have been contributed by the intervention's effect alongside regression to the mean. Though both groups showed significant longitudinal reductions, no significant inter‐group differences in PI were observed at any time point ( p > 0.05). Furthermore, the test group displayed a substantial reduction in VSCs levels at the 2nd oral hygiene check‐up visit compared to the charting visit ( p < 0.001). Conclusions Real‐time VSCs biofeedback significantly accelerated initial reductions in BOP, although it did not achieve greater plaque reduction than standard OHI. Both groups reached similar clinical outcomes by the study's conclusion. Biofeedback may serve as a useful clinical tool to expedite the early improvement of gingival inflammation in individuals with periodontitis. Trial Registration Thai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR20190701002
ABSTRACT Introduction The profession of dental hygienists was created in 1913. However, it does not exist yet in France. Currently, an initiative has begun with creating a high‐level professional upgrading of dental assistants into Oral Prophylaxis Assistant, similar to dental hygienists. Methods In order to determine the limits and levers influencing this new qualification and its interests in paediatric dentistry, a mixed methods study (surveys and semi‐structured interviews) was conducted. Results and Discussion 119 dental assistants and 34 dentists responded to the survey. Among these, 7 dental assistants and 6 dentists were contacted for telephone interviews. 95% of the dental assistants and 70.6% of the dentists agreed with the creation of dental hygienists in France. 97.5% of the dental assistants and 85.3% of the dentists think that dental assistants could play a bigger role in oral health. 90.8% of the dental assistants want to qualify as Assistants in Oral Medicine. Conclusion The principal interest is delegation of preventive tasks to the Oral Prophylaxis Assistant. This delegation could free up the dentist's time which could increase the oral health care accessibility. The main difficulties are, on the one hand, the training modalities, which imply new organization in dental offices. On the other hand, the salary status of Oral Prophylaxis Assistant is problematic for some dental assistants.
