Experiences of Dental Hygienists as Myofunctional Therapists.

HEALTH services accessibility; NEUROMUSCULAR diseases; WORK; RESEARCH methodology; MATHEMATICAL models; INTERVIEWING; FACIAL dyskinesias; QUALITATIVE research; PHENOMENOLOGY; LABOR supply; MANIPULATION therapy; EXPERIENTIAL learning; DENTAL hygienists; THEORY; JUDGMENT sampling; THEMATIC analysis; CERTIFICATION

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the trend of registered dental hygienists' (RDH) education, certification, and practice of orofacial myology. Additionally, this study sought to define the advantages and barriers of the certification process. Methods: The design of this study utilized a phenomenological heuristic qualitative research approach. Purposeful sampling was used to solicit participants with experience in orofacial myology through the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM), Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT), Breathe Institute, and Neo-Health Services. Semi-structured interviews, the primary investigator's personal experiences, and historical documents were used for triangulation of the collected data to uncover emerging themes. Results: Data analysis of semi-structured interviews, researcher field notes, and historical documents resulted in five synthesized conceptual models and twenty-five emergent sub-themes. The conceptual models include: need for uniform credentialing, autonomous workforce models, identity distinctiveness, business management, and access to myofunctional care. Conclusion: Dental hygienists shared the opinion that though costly and complex, this specialty deserves attention, identity, awareness, and perpetuation as an expansion of preventive and therapeutic oral and systemic healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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