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- Title
An Investigation of Underrepresented Minority Students in the Dental Hygiene Profession.
- Authors
Kandray, Diane; Larwin, Karen H.
- Abstract
Problem: There is a lack of ethnic and racial diversity in the dental hygiene profession across the United States. Recruitment efforts have been ineffective in increasing the number of underrepresented minorities (URM) in the profession. There is a lack of empirical evidence in the literature that examines the experiences and opinions of URM in the dental hygiene profession using qualitative methodology. Objectives: This study explored what factors motivate URM individuals to enter the profession of dental hygiene and their experiences in the profession. Understanding the reasons for choosing dental hygiene and the career experiences of URM is imperative to improving recruitment efforts. This study sample included URM dental hygienists in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Methodology: This descriptive mixed method study included two phases of data collection. Phase one included the use of an electronic questionnaire distributed to registered dental hygienists. In January, 2016, the questionnaire was sent electronically to 1,289 dental hygienists with a response rate of 22%. The survey asked participants for basic demographic information, and then asked them both selected response and open-ended questions specifically about what motivated them to go into dental hygiene and what experiences they have had in school and since graduating, and their recommendations regarding recruitment. Data from the survey responses were evaluated in an effort to establish potential questions for follow-up in-depth interviews. The second phase of the study included confidential, personal, in-depth interviews with 17 registered dental hygienists who identify as URM dental hygienists. The transcripts from the in-depth personal interviews were analyzed manually using a coding technique to identify common themes and subthemes that emerged from the transcribed responses. IRB approval was obtained from Youngstown State University. Results: Responses from the dental hygiene questionnaire report that the most common reason for choosing the profession of dental hygiene was referral from a dental professional or prior dental assisting experience (52.03%). The most highly recommended recruitment efforts to expose URM students to the dental hygiene profession included; increasing the public's image about the profession (7.41%) and targeting high school students (18.52%). Analysis of the in-depth interviews with URM dental hygienists revealed that visiting high schools for career day, using social media to market to millennials, and utilizing alternative admission criteria were suggested as recruitment strategies to target URM students. Results include feedback about employment prospects and job experiences that provide insights to the success and challenges experienced by the URM dental hygienists. Conclusions: Results indicate that referrals by individuals in the dental profession impacted many of the respondents' motivation to enter the dental hygiene field. Some respondents indicate that there have been challenges with securing employment in areas with low minority populations. Lastly, recommendations for recruitment included going to high schools and efforts towards changing the image of the profession.
- Publication
Journal of Dental Hygiene, 2017, Vol 91, Issue 2, p74
- ISSN
1043-254X
- Publication type
Academic Journal