The Challenges of Professional Identity Formation
Dental hygienists play a crucial role in providing successful community-based healthcare. As the scope of their practice expands to address various tasks in response to changing social contexts and needs, the value they create is closely tied to job satisfaction. This satisfaction is formed through daily clinical experiences, and in the process of professional identity formation, learners must internalize a value system.
A recent study examined how dental hygiene students developed their professional identities during their undergraduate education. Adopting a case study approach, the researchers interviewed ten final-year dental hygiene students about changes in their views on dental hygienists and their identities as health professionals. Using thematic analysis, the study identified three key aspects of professional identity formation:
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Their Own Roles in Promoting Oral and General Health: Students recognized that their responsibilities as dental hygienists involve promoting the prevention of oral diseases and improving general health through treatment and patient education.
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Broadening the Perspectives on Professional Competencies: To fulfill these roles, students believed that dental hygienists should possess not only technical knowledge and skills, but also values and social competencies, such as honesty and relationship-building with patients.
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The Context of Inter-professional Collaborative Practice: Students became aware of the importance of collaborating with other healthcare professionals, particularly dentists, to provide effective patient care and treatment.
Influential Factors in Identity Formation
The study also identified several key factors that influenced the students’ professional identity formation:
Role Models and Mentors
By observing experienced dental hygienists, the students gained a better understanding of the profession’s responsibilities and the importance of building relationships with other healthcare providers. The feedback and guidance from these role models were highly motivating.
Clinical Experiences
During their clinical placements, the students learned about the daily responsibilities of dental hygienists, encountered real patient cases, and developed a stronger sense of their profession’s significance within the healthcare system.
Health Care System Influences
The students observed that the Japanese National Insurance System and the structure of dental clinics, which often comprised only oral professionals, shaped the scope of dental hygiene practice and the time allocated for patient care.
Social Interactions and Relationships
Encouragement and appreciation from patients and peers positively influenced the students’ professional identity formation. However, they also felt inferior to other medical professionals due to their limited knowledge of general health, which hindered their ability to contribute to interprofessional care.
Implications for Dental Hygiene Education
This study suggests that recognition of professional roles during preclinical education and collaborative opportunities in clinical education are necessary to promote professional identity formation. Such learning experiences enable students to reflect on the kind of dental hygienist they want to become.
Moreover, to support dental hygienists’ continuous pursuit of their profession with a sense of fulfillment, educators need to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges students would encounter as they transition from undergraduate education to employment. This understanding is essential for developing and supporting communities where dental hygienists can connect, help, and learn from each other.
The Joint Action for Water blog is dedicated to providing valuable information and insights related to water and sanitation services, community engagement, and advocacy. As an experienced expert in these areas, I am honored to contribute this article exploring the professional identity formation of dental hygiene students.
Navigating the Complexities of Professional Identity
Dental hygienists play a vital role in promoting oral and general health, and their professional identity is shaped by various factors throughout their undergraduate education. This pilot study offers important insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by dental hygiene students as they develop their self-concept and professional values.
One of the key findings is the students’ evolving understanding of their roles and responsibilities as dental hygienists. Initially, they viewed themselves primarily as oral health professionals focused on tooth protection and clinic-based work. However, through their clinical experiences and interactions with role models, the students began to recognize the broader scope of their profession, including its importance in interprofessional collaborative practice and its contribution to overall patient well-being.
The study also highlights the significant influence of role models and mentors on the students’ professional identity formation. By observing experienced dental hygienists in action, the students gained a deeper appreciation for the multifaceted nature of their profession and the valuable skills required to succeed, such as effective communication, relationship-building, and critical thinking.
Interestingly, the students also faced certain challenges that hindered their identity development, such as feeling inferior to other medical professionals and navigating the constraints of the healthcare system. These experiences underscore the need for dental hygiene education to address not only the technical aspects of the profession but also the broader contextual factors that shape professional practice.
Empowering Dental Hygiene Students through Curriculum and Mentorship
To address these challenges, the study suggests that dental hygiene programs should prioritize the following:
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Integrating Interprofessional Collaboration: Provide students with opportunities to work alongside other healthcare providers, fostering a sense of their role within the broader healthcare team and enhancing their confidence in contributing to patient-centered care.
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Emphasizing Professional Values and Identity: Incorporate discussions and reflective exercises that help students explore their personal and professional values, as well as the social and ethical responsibilities associated with being a dental hygienist.
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Strengthening Mentorship and Peer Support: Establish formal and informal mentorship programs that connect students with experienced dental hygienists, allowing for the exchange of knowledge, guidance, and emotional support during the challenging transition from academia to professional practice.
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Preparing Students for the Realities of Practice: Equip students with the necessary skills and strategies to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, advocate for their profession, and effectively collaborate with other providers to deliver optimal patient care.
By addressing these key areas, dental hygiene programs can empower their students to develop a strong, confident, and adaptable professional identity – one that not only meets the evolving needs of the community but also finds personal fulfillment in the process.
As an expert in the field of water and sanitation services, community engagement, and advocacy, I recognize the parallels between the challenges faced by dental hygiene students and those encountered by professionals in my own domain. Just as dental hygienists must navigate the complexities of their evolving roles and responsibilities, water and sanitation advocates must continually adapt to changing social, environmental, and political landscapes.
The lessons learned from this pilot study on dental hygiene students’ professional identity formation can serve as a valuable blueprint for cultivating a strong, resilient, and empowered workforce in the water and sanitation sector. By fostering mentorship, emphasizing the relevance of our work to the broader community, and equipping professionals with the skills to navigate systemic challenges, we can help ensure that the next generation of water and sanitation advocates are well-prepared to make a lasting impact.
I encourage the readers of the Joint Action for Water blog to reflect on their own professional journeys and consider how the insights from this study can be applied to strengthen the collective identity and resilience of our community. By supporting one another, championing our shared values, and embracing the ever-evolving nature of our field, we can continue to drive positive change and create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
