Authors: DeWald, Janice P.¹; Solomon, Eric S.²

Source: Journal of Dental Hygiene, Volume 83, Number 3, Summer 2009 , pp. 106-110(5)

Publisher: American Dental Hygienists' Association

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine changes in students' cross-cultural effectiveness using the Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory (CCAI^™). The inventory assessed strengths and weaknesses in 4 skill areas: Emotional Resilience, Flexibility/Openness, Perceptual Acuity, and Personal Autonomy.

Methods: The CCAI^™ was administered to 30 dental hygiene students during Orientation. Age and dental assisting experience were recorded to determine if those variables affected skill areas. The inventory was re-administered at the end of the first and second years of the program. Data from the 3 time periods were analyzed using t-tests (α=0.05) for the 4 skill areas. These scores were totaled and used to determine differences due to dental assisting experience or age.

Results: T-tests found no significant differences (α=0.05) for the 4 skill areas and for total scores between administrations of the inventory. Age and dental assisting experience did not affect results.

Conclusions: No significant improvement in students' cross-cultural effectiveness over the course of the 2-year curriculum was determined using the CCAI^™. Results of each student's performance, however, were not shared until graduation. Sharing results earlier would have allowed students to identify strengths and weaknesses in their cross-cultural effectiveness. This knowledge may have motivated them to improve their skills when exposed to patient experiences and curricular content promoting cross-cultural effectiveness. Programs which decide to use this inventory may want to consider using a strategy of surveying and sharing results at appropriate points during the curriculum.

Keywords: CULTURAL COMPETENCE; DIVERSITY; DENTAL HYGIENE

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Caruth School of Dental Hygiene, Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas 2: Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences and Executive Director of Institutional Research, Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas

Publication date: 2009-06-01

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