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Predicting Academic and National Board Dental Hygiene Examination Performance Based on Academic Factors

Bauchmoyer, Susan Marie

Abstract Details

2002, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Allied Medical Professions.
Numerous studies have been published exploring reliable variables to predict success within dental hygiene programs and on subsequent National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). Variables include demographics, American College Testing (ACT), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), high school grade point average (GPA), Dental Hygiene Aptitude test, college science GPA, mock examinations, college grades in sociology, general psychology, nutrition and anatomy as some possible predictors of pass/fail status on the NBDHE. However, no studies were found using data collected since the NBDHE format changed in 1998 to investigate if traditional predictors persevere. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between pre¬admission requirements, the cumulative dental hygiene GPA (CDHY GPA), basic college science requirements, the site of academic preparation and the NBDHE score. Data from the academic records of the 133 graduates of the dental hygiene program of The Ohio State University from 1998 through 2002 were entered into an Excel spreadsheet under identification numbers. Demographic information for the description of the subjects, course transfer data, course grades in program prerequisites, course grades in basic science requirement, CDHY GPA and NBDHE scores were entered. Data were imported into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for analysis and summarized using frequencies, percentage, and means. Specific research questions were answered using Pearson's r correlations, regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a pre-determined level of significance at .05. Results indicate the existing prerequisites for the dental hygiene program remain strong predictors for success. However, a stronger correlation was noted between Human Nutrition and the CDHY GPA. Thus admission committees should consider rearranging its position within the curriculum to a pre-admission requirement to add more validity to predictors. Other core science courses completed while in the program, Anatomy, Physiology and Microbiology also rendered a moderately strong correlation to the CDHY GPA. Regression analysis verifies Human Nutrition to be the greatest predictor of the CDHY GPA with Anatomy, Biology and Chemistry 1 following in descending order. The single greatest predictor for success on the NBDHE was the student’s CDHY GPA. Consistency in site of science preparation also revealed a positive correlation to the CDHY GPA and NBDHE. Regression analyses of the variables that account for NBDHE performance were the CDHY GPA and the prerequisite 3-science GPA. However, coefficients of regression show them to be moderately weak predictors.
Phillip D. Hoberty (Advisor)
Jill E. Clutter (Committee Member)
Michele P. Carr (Committee Member)
31 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bauchmoyer, S. M. (2002). Predicting Academic and National Board Dental Hygiene Examination Performance Based on Academic Factors [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1418401625

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bauchmoyer, Susan. Predicting Academic and National Board Dental Hygiene Examination Performance Based on Academic Factors. 2002. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1418401625.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bauchmoyer, Susan. "Predicting Academic and National Board Dental Hygiene Examination Performance Based on Academic Factors." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1418401625

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)