Sun, Yun-Ting
(2019)
The importance of having dental hygienists In Taiwan.
Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.
Abstract
This essay is going to address the importance of introducing dental hygiene education into the Taiwanese dental health care system. Currently, dental teams in Taiwan only consist of dentists, dental assistants, and dental technicians. The profession of dental hygienist is nonexistent. As the dental profession progresses globally, and the importance of proper oral health is linked to systemic health, the Chinese Taipei Association for Dental Sciences (counterpart of the American Dental Association) should recognize the importance of prevention in the provision of dental care.
The Executive Yuan of Taiwan, the executive branch of the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan, has developed a draft of a Dental Hygiene Act. The Executive Yuan of Taiwan holds similar functions as the State Board of Dentistry holds in the United States. After reviewing the scope of practice for dental hygienists and dental assistants in the United States and Japan, and dental nurses in the United Kingdom, the Executive Yuan of Taiwan formatted a draft policy of scope of practice for dental hygienists. Unfortunately, the scope of practice developed applies to functions that are performed by dental assistants. This essay compares the difference between the educational requirements and the scopes of practice of dental hygienists and dental assistants. The comparison of curricula is based on US accreditation standards as formulated by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. The scope of practice is based upon the licensure and certification standards imposed by each state.
Evidence-based healthcare is receiving significant global attention. Dental hygienists provide evidence-based oral care, and this is currently the standard of care in the US. There is a significant amount of oral disease that is linked to systemic health. Dental hygienists contribute to the prevention of oral disease and to the public’s overall health. From the economic aspect, the dental hygienist not only helps the government decrease the financial burden of oral disease, but, it helps to minimize systemic health problems. The educational requirements for dental assistants are not as vigorous as they are for dental hygienists; thus, the scope of practice is aligned with the educational requirements. Dental hygienists are licensed dental health care providers who deliver oral health services to the public. Utilization of dental hygienists expands access to dental health services for all segments of the population. The government of Taiwan should recognize and standardize educational requirements for dental hygienists, and value the services they can provide in expanding access to dental care, reducing the repercussions of poor oral health on overall health, productivity, and the quality of life.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper
(Master Essay)
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
| Creators | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID  |
|---|
| Sun, Yun-Ting | YUS43@pitt.edu | YUS43@pitt.edu | |
|
| Contributors: |
| Contribution | Contributors Name | Email | Pitt Username | ORCID |
|---|
| Committee Chair | Barron, Geral Mark | gbarron@pitt.edu | gbarron@pitt.edu | UNSPECIFIED | | Committee Member | Riccelli, Angelina | riccelli@pitt.edu | riccelli@pitt.edu | UNSPECIFIED |
|
| Date: |
18 April 2019 |
| Date Type: |
Submission |
| Number of Pages: |
49 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Health Policy & Management |
| Degree: |
MS - Master of Science |
| Thesis Type: |
Master Essay |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Date Deposited: |
09 Oct 2019 00:15 |
| Last Modified: |
09 Oct 2019 00:15 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/36422 |
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