(PO-146) International Dental Hygiene Program—Need Analysis and Feasibility study

Author: ShruthI Pelluri, Pelluri, M.S. – Graduate Student, University of Washington School of Dentistry
Submitter: Shruthi Pelluri, M.S. – University of Washington School of Dentistry

Objectives: To integrate diversity, create a climate of inclusiveness, and provide equal opportunity access to dental education, an advanced standing International Dental Hygiene program curriculum of 30 credits is proposed here, for internationally trained dentists and dental hygienists.

Methods: To determine the need for an IDH program among internationally trained dentists and dental hygienists residing in the U.S. a need analysis survey was conducted, and to determine the operational feasibility of an IDH program a feasibility survey was developed and circulated to dental hygiene program directors in the U.S. The need analysis survey was public, and the survey link was posted on Facebook. Sampling framework for feasibility survey was 327 entry-level dental hygiene program directors across the U.S. Their email addresses were obtained from ADHA website.

Results: For the need analysis survey, a total of 252 responses were recordedThe response rate of feasibility survey is 21%. Need analysis survey shows paying tuition and obtaining financial aid and/or a student loan were the most challenging barriers to obtaining dental education in the U.S. Nearly 84% of need analysis survey respondents were likely to enroll in an IDH program and 80-100% of them indicated that they would recommend an IDH program to their friends and colleagues. The majority of these respondents believed that it would not be very feasible to adopt an IDH program as part of the existing dental hygiene program. Some of the explanations given by respondents included school policy not to accept applicants out of state or country, limited resources. Some of the benefits of having an IDH program were that it improves school resources, overcomes DH shortage, and the fact that tuition from international students would be beneficial for school finances.



Conclusion: Further research is recommended to pilot test an IDH program to assess the potential outcome.