Conhecimento, experiência e percepção do estudante de odontologia acerca do técnico em higiene dental

Resumo

To identify knowledge, experience and perception of dental students regarding the dental hygienist (DH). A cross-sectional study was carried out using a self-applicable questionnaire in a sample of students from two of the three dental schools in State of Goiás, Brazil. Variables studied were demographic data; school grade; students’ knowledge on the DH’s qualification, attributions, legal aspects and regulation of the profession; their academic experience; and their perception (opinions and intent) towards the DH. The final sample was based on 387 students (response rate = 79.1%). The majority (79.3%) reported they had heard about the DH. However, there was a gap in their knowledge on the attributions, requirements and regulation of the profession. Regarding academic experience, most students reported they had learnt about the subject in lecture classes at the faculty, but had no practical experience with this kind of professional. Opinions about the DH were positive. General knowledge, information on the attributions and the importance given to the DH increased with school grade (p < 0.05). Students had deficiences in their knowledge, little practical experience, favorable opinions and little intent to work with the DH in the future.

Descrição

Palavras-chave

Dental students, Estudantes de odontologia, Dental hygienist, Attitudes, practice, Health knowledge, Técnico em higiene dental, Conhecimentos, atitudes e prática em saúde

Citação

NUNES, Fabiany Cristina Santos; FREIRE, Maria do Carmo Matias. Conhecimento, experiência e percepção do estudante de odontologia acerca do técnico em higiene dental. Revista de Odontologia da UNESP, Araçatuba, v. 38, n. 1, p. 23-30, 2009.