Practicing Dental Hygienists' Attitudes Toward the Proposed Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner: A Pilot Study (Research) (Survey‪)‬

Introduction Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, which described oral health disparities among certain populations, stressed the important relationship between oral health and the overall general health of all Americans. Although the majority of Americans have benefited from "the safe and effective means of maintaining oral health, many still experience needless pain and suffering, complications that devastate overall health and well-being, and financial and social costs that diminish the quality of life and burden American society." (1) The Report described "'a silent epidemic' of oral diseases that is affecting the most vulnerable citizens including poor children, the elderly, and many members of racial and ethnic minority groups," and suggested that many Americans are unable to achieve optimal oral health due to barriers including lack of access to care. (1) Following the Report, the National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health (Call to Action) described 5 principal actions and implementation strategies "to promote oral health and prevent disease, especially to reduce the health disparities that affect members of racial and ethnic groups, poor people, many who are geographically isolated, and others who are vulnerable because of special oral health care needs." (2) "The goals of the Call to Action reflected those of Healthy People 2010 that included: to promote oral health, to improve quality of life, and to eliminate oral health disparities." (2)