Current conditions in dental hygiene influencing professional education are discussed. Workplace/practice issues include dental hygiene care as a component of dental practice, content, effects, and quality of care, hygienist supply and demand, and job satisfaction. Professional issues include the knowledge base, definitions of practice, and…

The current state of dental labor research, dimensions of interest, problems of policy analysis, and the importance of these issues for dentistry are discussed, and a conceptual model for such research is presented. Immediate attention to the research is encouraged because of need and greater opportunities than ever for collaboration. (MSE)

The history of forecasting in dentistry is explored with a focus on several major forecasting techniques, briefly examining the basic assumptions, data requirements, and strengths and weaknesses of each. Three perspectives held by forecasters are isolated: health status, social need, and economic. (Author/MLW)

In response to declining dental hygiene education enrollments, the only dental school in Virginia plans to increase recruitment and expand use of existing programs. Strategies include hiring a statewide recruitment officer, establishing a forgivable loan program, increasing program capacity, and starting new programs when funding is available.…

Econometric, supply, and manpower models adopted to forecast need and demand for dental services personnel are examined critically, based in part on the models' past success in prediction. Areas of concern and conditions not reflected in the models are noted. All the models are seen to be limited. (MSE)

A discussion of the state of dental hygiene education looks at the practitioner supply and demand, enrollment trends, student characteristics, changes in admissions and program design, necessary curriculum expansion, financial pressures on institutions, manpower shortages in dentistry in general, and lack of innovation in recent years. (MSE)