Career Choice and Perceptions of Dental Hygiene Students and Applicants. (Research)‪.‬

Introduction From the mid-1970s into the late '80s, dental hygiene programs across the nation experienced a dramatic decline in enrollment. Student recruitment became a significant concern. (1-4) The 1990s brought a steady increase in enrollment, although manpower shortage concerns--particularly in rural areas--became a professional issue. To meet the demand for dental hygienists, two-year associate degree programs opened across the United States, and educational opportunities for those interested in dental hygiene flourished. As a result, recruitment of qualified applicants resurfaced as an issue. (5,6)