2017 RDH career satisfaction Question Title * 1. 1. In which state do you primarily provide patient care? Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Question Title * 2. What is your primary occupation as a dental hygienist on this date? Clinician in small or solo practice Clinician in corporate, group or specialty dental practice Clinician in unsupervised or independent business Educator on dental hygiene campus Educator on other dental campuses or in industry capacity Public health dental hygienist Question Title * 3. What is your age? 35 or under 36 to 45 years old 46 to 55 years old 56 years and older Question Title * 4. Are you a currently a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association? (We ask that members of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association answer “yes” for the purpose of this survey, particularly if you answered with “California” in question #1.) Yes No Question Title * 5. Do you currently practice dental hygiene in more than one dental office? No, I just practice dental hygiene in one dental office Two or more dental offices Multiple offices due to status as a temporary dental hygienist Not applicable Question Title * 6. How many other dental hygienists are employed in the primary dental practice where you provide treatment? 0 (you are only RDH) 1 other RDH 2 other dental hygienists 3 other dental hygienists 4 or more other dental hygienists Question Title * 7. Which best describes your professional morale and your feelings about the current state of the dental hygiene profession? Very positive/optimistic Somewhat positive/optimistic Somewhat negative/pessimistic Very negative/pessimistic Question Title * 8. Which best describes how you feel about the future of the dental hygiene profession? Very positive/optimistic Somewhat positive/optimistic Somewhat negative/pessimistic Very negative/pessimistic Question Title * 9. If you could reverse time and start a new career in 2017, would you still choose to be a dental hygienist? Yes, dental hygiene is still a rewarding profession No, the negatives outweigh the positives I really am unsure about my answer to this question Question Title * 10. If you contemplate leaving the dental hygiene profession, would your desired next career path require an additional college degree? Yes No Not applicable Question Title * 11. On this date, would you recommend dental hygiene as a career for your children or other young people? Yes No I really am unsure about my answer to this question Question Title * 12. Due to evolutionary nature of dentistry as a health-care business, do you plan to accelerate your departure or retirement from dental hygiene? Yes No Unsure Question Title * 13. Which factor do you find MOST satisfying about your dental hygiene career? Patient relationships Interaction with colleagues Flexible schedule Intellectual stimulation as a dental hygiene clinician Impact of your care on the community Income Question Title * 14. Which factor do you find LEAST satisfying about your dental hygiene career? The unchanging routine of dental hygiene care over time Lack of time with patients Relationship with employer Relationship with other colleagues Financial rewards Job benefits rewards Lack of professional autonomy Question Title * 15. Please estimate how many hours you spend each week on non-clinical (paperwork or infection control) duties? Less than one hour Two to three hours Four to five hours Six to eight hours Nine hours or more Question Title * 16. On average, how many patients do you see per day? Under six Seven to nine 10 to 12 More than 12 Question Title * 17. Which best describes the time you are able to spend with patients? My time with patients is often too limited My time with patients is sometimes too limited I generally have all the time I need to provide the highest standards of care Question Title * 18. To what extent do you have feelings of professional burnout about your career? No such feelings Rarely have these feelings Sometimes have these feelings Often have these feelings Always have these feelings (significant burnout) Question Title * 19. Do you sense the dentist that you primarily work with exhibits signs of burnout? Never Sometimes seems to struggle with remaining enthusiastic about dentistry Often seems to struggle with remaining enthusiastic about dentistry Always seems to struggle with remaining enthusiastic about dentistry Question Title * 20. How often do you attend dental conferences during the span of a year for earning CE credits? Seldom, if ever Once a year Twice a year Three or more times Question Title * 21. Does your employer cover continuing education costs? Yes, almost always Yes, sometimes, often depending on the seminars presented Very rarely Never Question Title * 22. Are you actively involved in a study club or local component of the ADHA? Yes No Question Title * 23. Do you feel that the dental teams you are associated with support one another’s recommendations for treatment of patients? Yes, very supportive Yes, somewhat inconsistently No Question Title * 24. How do you primarily obtain update knowledge on products, procedures and standards of care? Online research Dental journals or bookmarked dental websites (not accessed via generalized searches) Dental conferences Colleagues or employer Question Title * 25. Do any of the questions above prompt you to elaborate on any answer you have given above. Please feel free to do so below. Done