Motivations for and outcomes of graduate education amongst dental hygienists: A pan-Canadian study.

OBJECTIVES: Motivations and career outcomes of dental hygienists with baccalaureate degrees have been recently reported; however, few studies have explored Canadian dental hygienists pursuing graduate education. There is limited evidence to inform career outcomes and motivating factors for advanced education, limiting knowledge of how professional outcomes have evolved alongside advancements in graduate program offerings. This study focused on understanding motivating factors to pursue graduate education and the professional outcomes of dental hygienists with graduate degrees. METHODS: This nested online anonymous survey was conducted between November and December 2021 with dental hygienists who graduated from one of four Canadian baccalaureate-level dental hygiene degree programs and had further indicated that they were pursuing or had obtained additional graduate-level education (n = 60). Participants were asked to report on any advanced graduate-level education. Open-ended questions on graduate degree education were analysed through thematic analysis. RESULTS: Motivations for pursuing graduate degrees were influenced by personal and professional preferences. Master's degree recipients cited expanded career opportunities, alternate interests, convenience, and dissatisfaction with/desire to leave clinical practice as major motivators. Doctoral degree holding dental hygienists identified expanded/alternate career opportunities as major motivation but also cited program convenience as an influencer. The availability of distance and flexible programming is a novel finding that positively influences the pursuit of advanced education. CONCLUSION: Dental hygienists are pursuing graduate education to expand their scope of knowledge and create new career opportunities. Graduate degree programs that accommodate work-life balance through flexible and online offerings are very attractive to dental hygienists.

Motivating influences and career outcomes of baccalaureate-educated dental hygienists: a pan-Canadian study.

Background: As discussions about baccalaureate education for dental hygiene continue at national and international levels, examining outcomes of earning a baccalaureate degree in a Canadian context is essential. This study aimed to explore the motivating reasons for pursuing a dental hygiene baccalaureate degree in Canada and the career outcomes of Canadian dental hygiene baccalaureate degree graduates. Methods: Graduates from all 4 Canadian dental hygiene degree programs (N = 262) participated in a cross-sectional online survey between November and December 2021. Survey questions explored motivating reasons for pursuing dental hygiene degree education, educational experiences, employment outcomes, and career satisfaction. A descriptive analysis was performed to report absolute and relative frequencies of responses to each question. Differences between participant characteristics, motivating reasons for pursing a degree, and practice outcomes were assessed. Where applicable, results were compared to the results of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association's 2019 Job Market and Employment Survey. A thematic analysis was applied to open-ended descriptive responses. Results: Primary motivators included personal satisfaction (77%), status of a degree (75%), increase in employment opportunities (71%), and increase in knowledge base (69%). Respondents (87%) reported that they were satisfied with their educational experiences, and the majority (65%) agreed that a degree should be the minimum entry-level credential for dental hygiene practice in Canada. Primary practice settings were reported as clinical dental hygiene care (80%), educational institutions (9%), community and public health (4%), and other practice settings (7%). A larger proportion reported working in non-clinical settings than those in the national survey (20% and 8%, respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings underscore the impact of baccalaureate education on dental hygiene practice in Canada.

Contexte: Étant donné que les discussions sur les études menant à un baccalauréat en hygiène dentaire se poursuivent aux échelles nationales et internationales, il est essentiel d'examiner les résultats de l'obtention d'un baccalauréat dans un contexte canadien. Cette étude visait à explorer les raisons qui motivent la poursuite d'un baccalauréat en hygiène dentaire au Canada et les possibilités de carrière des diplômés canadiens d'un programme de baccalauréat en hygiène dentaire. Méthodologie: Des diplômés des 4 programmes canadiens de baccalauréat en hygiène dentaire (N = 262) ont participé à une enquête ponctuelle en ligne entre novembre et décembre 2021. Les questions de l'enquête ont exploré les raisons motivant la poursuite d'études en hygiène dentaire menant à un baccalauréat, les expériences éducatives, les possibilités d'emploi et la satisfaction par rapport à la carrière. Une analyse descriptive a permis d'établir les fréquences absolues et relatives des réponses à chaque question. Les différences entre les caractéristiques des participants, les raisons motivant l'obtention d'un baccalauréat et les possibilités de la pratique professionnelle ont été évaluées. Le cas échéant, les résultats ont été comparés aux résultats du Sondage sur le marché du travail et de l'emploi de 2019 de l'Association canadienne des hygiénistes dentaires. Une analyse thématique a été appliquée aux réponses descriptives ouvertes. Résultats: Les principaux facteurs de motivation comprenaient la satisfaction personnelle (77 %), le statut d'un baccalauréat (75 %), l'augmentation des possibilités d'emploi (71 %) et l'augmentation de la base de connaissances (69 %). Les répondants (87 %) ont déclaré être satisfaits de leurs expériences éducatives et la majorité (65 %) était d'accord pour dire qu'un baccalauréat devrait être le titre de compétence minimal pour l'admission à la pratique de l'hygiène dentaire au Canada. Les milieux de pratique primaires ont été déclarés comme étant les suivants : soins cliniques en hygiène dentaire (80 %), établissements d'enseignement (9 %), santé communautaire et publique (4 %), et autres milieux de pratique (7 %). Un plus grand nombre de répondants ont déclaré travailler dans des milieux non cliniques que ceux de l'enquête nationale (20 % et 8 %, respectivement; p < 0,001). Conclusion: Ces résultats soulignent l'impact des études menant à un baccalauréat sur la pratique de l'hygiène dentaire au Canada.

"This program should come with a warning sign!": Mental wellness in occupational therapy and physical therapy students.

Objectives: To measure and compare distress in entry-level masters occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) students; to evaluate distress levels relative to existing data; and to explore factors that cause stress, effects of stress, and coping strategies. Participants: Ninety-eight OT and PT students (75 females, 23 males) from two cohorts at a Canadian university. Methods: Sequential mixed-methods including questionnaires and inductive analysis of focus group discussions. Results: OT and PT students from one cohort reported higher levels of stress, anxiety and/or depression compared to the following academic year and compared to undergraduate and general population samples. The overall theme was the unrelenting tug of war between school and other aspects of students' lives. Factors related to academic workload negatively affected mental health. Coping strategies included physical activity, strategic selection of peers, and modifying expectations. Conclusions: Wellness in OT and PT students is an important concern that deserves attention.