Table 1.

Eligibility criteria for the literature-selection process

Inclusion	Exclusion
Name or synonym of profession or discipline (e.g. dentist, GDP, dental hygienist or ADHP)	Other oral health professions (e.g. dental therapist)
Terms related to scope of practice, direct access independent practice and/or interprofessional or interdisciplinary change	Perspectives from a policy point of view
Terms related to attitude or perception	Publication based on one or few opinions
Quantitative research method	Qualitative research method
Terms or words referring to professional relationship between dental hygienists and dentists	Publication language other than English or Dutch
Indices related to percentages	Continuing professional development
Subjects related to specific clinical issues	Only faculty members or teachers
Attitude measures regarding task shifting and/or independent practice	Specialised dentists or dental hygienists
Percentages of dental or dental hygiene practitioners with a positive or negative attitude towards task shifting and/or independent practice	Students
	Attitude measures which cannot discriminate between practitioners with a positive, neutral or negative attitude
	Attitude measures concerning multiple aspects

ADHP, advanced dental hygiene practitioner; GDP, general dental practitioner.