A qualitative study of the Extended Care Permit dental hygienists in Kansas
Abstract
Currently, thirty-two states allow some type of alternative practice settings for dental hygienists. This qualitative study was designed to explore the experiences of the Extended Care Permit (ECP) dental hygienist in the state of Kansas. The snowball sampling method was used to obtain the study participants that involved 9 subjects, one ECP consultant and eight ECP providers. Interviews, document analysis and direct personal experience as a dental hygienist with the development of ECP legislation were utilized for data collection. Seven major categories emerged from the data analysis including entrepreneur registered dental hygienist, partnerships, funding, barriers, sustainability, models of care and the impact of the ECP. The findings of this study revealed that the ECP hygienist has an immense passion and determination for working with underserved and underserved populations and strives to increase access to oral health care within these populations to make a difference.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Materials and methods -- Results -- Discussion -- Conclusions -- Literature cited -- Appendix
Degree
M.S.