Factors Influencing Dental Assisting Students to Continue Their Education in Dental Hygiene after Graduation

Abstract

The demand for career dental assistants is increasing, yet rather than entering the workforce, many graduates are choosing to continue their education into dental hygiene. The purpose of this study was to find out the factors that influence the dental assistants’ decision to continue their education and not enter the workforce after graduation. This qualitative study was conducted using recorded phone interviews with three career dental hygienists and nine Madison College dental assisting students about their plans after graduation and factors that influenced their decision. The study did find that all but one of the students planned to enter the workforce as dental assistants until being accepted into the dental hygiene program. One student planned to be a career dental assistant. The most common barriers to working as a dental assistant were the low wage, working with children, and keeping up with the doctor’s schedule. Students felt that becoming a registered dental hygienist would pay a higher salary and allow a greater opportunity to help their patients with their oral care.