Investigation of the Cultural Competence of Dental Hygienists Practicing in a Region of Low Diversity

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Dental Hygiene

Abstract

Purpose: The profession of dental hygiene is lacking in racial and ethnic diversity, a contributory factor to providing culturally competent patient care. The purpose of the study was to determine the cultural competence (CC) of licensed dental hygienists (DHs) in a region of low racial and ethnic diversity and explore the contributory factors. Methods: A modified version of the Cultural Competency Assessment (CCA), a survey developed using the 3-D Model of Culturally Congruent Care was used to identify the levels of (CC) of DHs practicing in a area of low diversity. Utah was identified as a region of low racial and ethnic diversity. DHs holding a license to practice in the state of Utah were invited to participate in the 35-item, electronically delivered survey. Multiple regression was used to analyze associations between cultural competence and salient participant characteristics. Results: Of the 3,231 RDHs invited to participate, 673 responses were included for analysis, for a 20% response rate. The mean score was 10.153 (SD=1.3), indicating moderate cultural competence, unequally distributed between cultural awareness and sensitivity and culturally competent behavior scores. Possessing a graduate degree, cultural education during dental hygiene school, cultural continuing education, and employment in public health, significantly predicted CC. The regression model was significant F(8,664)=8.616 (p<0.0005) with a small effect size (R2=0.094). Conclusion: Education and types of practice experiences were predictors of CC. Specific educational interventions that may influence the various components of cultural competency were not determined. Dental hygiene providers possessed moderate CC however there was a disconnect in translating awareness into behavior, possibly reinforced by environments lacking racial and ethnic diversity with limited opportunities to develop and exercise CC.

First Page

14

Last Page

20

Publication Date

4-1-2021

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