Title

The Utilization of Local Anesthetic by Rochester Area Registered Dental Hygienists

Author

Mary Schwanke, Concordia University, St. Paul

Date

2000

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Chairperson (Advisor 1)

Dr. Roberta Poetsch

Reader (Advisor 2)

Dr. Kimora Kachelmyer

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to determine the utilization of local anesthetic by registered dental hygienists (RDHs) in the Rochester, Minnesota, area. The utilization rate and other data gathered would ultimately be used to determine if there is an interest in a local anesthetic refresher course at Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC).

A survey instrument was developed to determine the local anesthetic utilization rate of the RDH and factors limiting this rate. The survey included questions concerning the confidence level of the ROH as it relates to the administration of local anesthetic. The final section addressed the need and possible interest in a local anesthetic refresher course at RCTC in the next 12 months.

The survey was sent to 94 Rochester area RDHs. Forty-one of the 79 respondents were RDHs certified to administer local anesthetic in Minnesota.

Hypothesis one sought to determine if there is a relationship between frequency of local anesthetic utilization and local anesthetic training format. Chi-square analysis determined that the relationship between frequency of utilization and local anesthetic training format was not statistically significant.

Hypothesis two proposed lack of time as the primary factor limiting the utilization of local anesthetic by RDHs. The respondents identified lack of opportunity as the primary factor limiting their utilization of local anesthetic. Chi-square analysis determined that this relationship was statistically significant at the .001 level.

Hypothesis three sought to determine if there is a relationship between frequency of utilization and the confidence level of the RDH. Spearmans' Rank Order correlation tests revealed that the relationship between frequency of administration and confidence level is statistically significant to the .001 level.

The respondents indicated that interest in a local anesthetic refresher course at RCTC is very limited. The confidence interval revealed that at a 95% confidence level the true proportion of Rochester area RDHs interested in a local anesthetic refresher course at RCTC would be in the 15-33% range.

It was recommended that further research be conducted to determine local anesthetic utilization rates by RDHs in Minnesota and other states that allow RDHs to administer local anesthetic. The utilization rate should be studied by states that are considering changing their dental practice acts to allow RDHs to administer local anesthetic.

Two recommendations were made concerning the development of a local anesthetic refresher course at RCTC. The first recommendation was to expand the target audience of the local anesthetic refresher course to a larger geographic area, including Wisconsin. Another recommendation suggested offering a traditional local anesthetic continuing education course and allowing RDHs interested in a local anesthetic refresher course to attend part of that course.

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