From Education to Practice: Evolving Attitudes Towards Interprofessional Collaboration in Oral Healthcare

This follow-up study examined attitudes towards collaboration and beliefs about recognition of competence and qualifications in overlapping tasks between dental hygienists and dentists post-graduation. Data were collected from 2019 to 2022, with initial measurements during educational training and follow-up after one year of practice. The Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) was used with modified subscales for Teamwork & Collaboration and Negative Professional Identity, along with questions on overlapping tasks and task-shifting. A total of 106 participants completed all measurements, with response rates of 37.2% for dental hygienists and 27.1% for dentists. Both groups demonstrated significant increase in positive attitudes towards interprofessional education and interprofessional collaboration after graduation compared to their attitudes during training. Dental hygienists perceived themselves as equally competent as dentists in overlapping tasks, whereas dentists rated themselves as more competent. Dental hygienists demonstrated a significantly better understanding of the qualifications required for overlapping tasks compared to dentists. Despite this statistically significant difference, the self-assessments of both dental hygienists and dentists remained stable over time. These findings highlight improved collaboration attitudes among oral health professionals, though competence perception differences may impact interprofessional dynamics in professional practice. Further research is needed to explore these perceptions’ effects on practice.