Methods: UK-wide random samples of dental hygienists and hygienist-therapists, and a complete survey of therapists, drawn from the GDC Register (N= 830). Clinical activity was investigated by asking respondents how often they undertook 19 treatments. Clinical activity score (CAS) were computed for the range of activities within each group's remit, where frequently undertaken=2, occasionally=1, never=0. Multiple regression analysis identified employment characteristics predicting CAS. Job satisfaction was measured by the Warr-Cook-Wall 10-dimension scale.
Results: Response rates were 58% (hygienists), 58% (hygienist-therapists), and 73% (therapists) (n=170, 175, 155 respectively). Therapists undertook a mean 60.88% (sd=17.62) of the maximum CAS (ie all activities undertaken frequently), compared with 49.80% (sd=20.83) for hygienist-therapists and 21.85% (sd=15.37) for hygienists. High CAS was associated with more NHS and child patients, and longer hours (hygienist-therapists); more child patients and longer hours (therapists); and more child patients and less time in post (hygienists). CAS was strongly correlated with job satisfaction for hygienist-therapists (r=0.331, p=0.001, n=169) and therapists (r=0.251, p=0.002, n=152), particularly regarding variety of work and making use of their abilities. This findings did not apply to hygienists (r=0.068, p=0.384, n=168).
Conclusions: The range of activities undertaken varied considerably within each profession, and was related to job satisfaction for hygienist-therapists and therapists. The more limited range of activities undertaken by hygienists was not linked to job satisfaction. The study will help identify how the contribution to dentistry of these clinicians may develop, leading to a more integrated and resource-efficient service.