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. 2019 Feb 1;53(1):43–52.

Table 1.

Frequency table for each variable related to dental hygiene services

Variable

Mean SD

Not at all confident (1)

Lacking confidence (2)

Undecided

(3)

Reasonably confident (4)

Totally confident (5)

Evaluate a pediatric client's medical history and vitals (if needed), and incorporate findings into a dental hygiene treatment plan.

4.67

0.48

 

 

 

33% (12)

67% (24)

Utilize all possible resources to facilitate care for the pediatric client including communication with dental and medical providers.

4.44

0.65

 

3% (1)

 

47% (17)

50% (18)

Accurately perform an extraoral/intraoral assessment and use findings to create and implement a dental hygiene treatment plan.

4.42

0.73

 

3% (1)

5% (2)

39% (14)

53% (19)

Evaluate a child's occlusion, growth, and development.

3.56

1.10

6% (2)

17% (6)

8% (3)

56% (20)

14% (4)

Identify early childhood caries

ECC and severe ECC (S-ECC).

3.69

1.09

6% (2)

11% (4)

11% (4)

53% (19)

19% (7)

Perform a caries risk

assessment on a child.

3.83

1.00

 

14% (5)

17% (6)

42% (15)

28% (10)

Detect suspicious restorations and/or areas of possible decay and relay these findings to the dental hygiene or dentist faculty member.

3.97

0.97

3% (1)

8% (3)

6% (2)

56% (20)

28% (10)

Expose radiographs on a child in primary or mixed dentition.

3.00

1.24

11% (4)

31% (11)

17% (6)

31% (11)

11% (4)

Interpret radiographs on a child in primary or mixed dentition.

3.72

1.08

6% (2)

8% (3)

17% (6)

47% (17)

22% (8)

Utilize ALL of the assessment data to formulate a sequenced treatment plan for pediatric clients.

4.61

0.60

 

 

6% (2)

28% (10)

67% (24)

Determine the appropriate procedures needed in the treatment plan on a pediatric client (e.g., prophylaxis, fluoride varnish).

4.44

0.80

 

6% (2)

3% (1)

33% (12)

58% (21)

Discuss dental hygiene treatment plan with the pediatric client and their legal guardian/caregiver) including rationale, risks, benefits, possible outcomes, alternatives, and prognosis.

4.58

0.50

 

 

 

42% (15)

58% (21)

Communicate with the dental hygiene or dentist faculty member about a client's overall care.

4.56

0.80

3% (1)

 

3% (1)

28% (10)

67% (24)

Manage the behaviour of a child throughout dental hygiene treatment.

3.69

1.24

8% (3)

11% (4)

11% (4)

42% (15)

28% (10)

Provide oral hygiene instructions to client and caregiver.

4.67

0.48

 

 

 

33% (12)

67% (24)

Counsel caregiver on client's dental development and oral hygiene habits.

4.42

0.77

 

6% (2)

 

42% (15)

53% (19)

Complete a child prophylaxis (using hand instrumentation when needed).

4.36

0.99

3% (1)

6% (2)

3% (1)

31% (11)

58% (21)

Apply fluoride varnish to child's teeth.

4.83

0.70

3% (1)

 

 

6% (2)

92% (33)

Determine the necessity for a pediatric client to be referred to a general or pediatric dentist.

4.33

0.79

3% (1)

 

11% (4)

36% (13)

50% (18)