A case study detailing the experiences of dental hygienists working with chairside dental nurse assistance within general dental practices in the south of England

A study to investigate the experiences of dental hygienists working with chairside dental nurse assistance in general dental practices in Southern England AIM To explore the perceived factors that improve, or inhibit, the working conditions of dental hygienists with chairside dental nurse assistance.OBJECTIVE To determine the views and experiences of dental hygienists who are working with chairside dental nurse assistance, specifically the advantages and disadvantages of working in this way.LEARNING OUTCOMES The reader will understand potential enablers and inhibitors that impact the clinical working conditions of dental hygienists when working with chairside dental nurse assistance, and how these may affect patient care. Aligned with GDC development outcomes: A, B, DIntroductionThe General Dental Council (GDC) publication, Standards for the Dental Team1 defines the clinical duties and responsibilities of the dental team, stating that clinicians ‘must’ be appropriately supported when treating patients. This suggests that DH should not work alone. However, in 2011, one study found that of those DH and dental therapist (DT) respondents, only 36% had full time dental nurse assistance.2 Additionally, when asked, many British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) members commented that they had found difficulty in complying with the GDC requirements of not working alone.3 The lack of clarity stems from the fact that ultimately, Standards for the Dental Team is not sufficiently robust guidance, since it merely ‘suggests’ that a DH working clinically, be assisted and supported chairside by a DN, rather than enforcing this as regulation. Background This paper is based on a research dissertation completed in May 2020 as part of the first author’s MSc in Advanced and Specialist Healthcare at the University of Kent. It investigates the experiences of dental hygienists (DH) working with chairside dental nurse (DN) assistance in general practices in the South of England. It is hoped that the results acquired will provide a platform for further investigations in this area, ideally highlighting a need for all DH to work with chairside dental nurse assistance. Aim To establish if routine chairside dental nurse assistance enables or inhibits clinical working conditions for dental hygienists.Method This qualitative research employed case study methodology, utilising 12 semi-structured interviews with practising DH, who volunteered and consented to take part in the research. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed by thematic coding to uncover any overarching themes.ResultsDuring analysis, three themes were identified: [1] Enabling factors; [2] Inhibiting factors; [3] Barriers to the provision of chairside DN assistance. Although a small group case study, the results provide an insight into the experiences of DH working with chairside DN assistance. ConclusionThe authors are aware that to better understand the findings, further studies are required. Subsequent recommendations from this study include opening a discourse among relevant stakeholders in order to achieve clarity of the current guidelines relating to the clinical chairside assistance required by D