{"title":"Evaluation of an EAST Nudge-Based Oral Health Promotion Leaflet for Workers: A Six-Month Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Masaki Takebayashi, Tatsuya Koyama, Yudai Kaneda, Satoru Kanamori, Kiyonobu Kawano, Asako Miyake, Kurenai Takebayashi, Hiroshi Fukuda","doi":"10.1111/idh.70144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.70144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Some workers procrastinate oral care because of cognitive biases and nudges have been proposed as useful interventions to address this problem. This study, a randomized controlled trial, evaluated workers' oral care behaviours 6 months after an Easy-Attractive-Social-Timely (EAST) nudge-based leaflet was distributed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were recruited and surveyed online, whereas the intervention leaflet was delivered by postal mail. Participants in the control group received a text-based leaflet providing detailed information on oral care. Participants in the nudge group received a nudge-based leaflet. The persuasive text was shortened by more than 70% compared with the control leaflet (easy nudge), incorporated a narrative comic to elicit peer-related behaviours (attractive and social nudges), and featured a cover designed to prompt immediate reading (timely nudge). The outcomes were changes in oral self-care, self-monitoring, professional preventive care, stages of behavioural change, and health literacy, measured using established assessment scales.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the intention-to-treat analysis, 119 participants in the nudge group and 120 in the control group were analysed. No significant between-group differences were observed for any outcome, including improvement in oral self-care frequency (18.5% vs. 13.3%, respectively; p = 0.147).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This is one of the few randomized controlled trials reporting non-significant findings on oral health nudges, suggesting that an EAST-based leaflet may have limitations in sustaining long-term behaviour change in this setting. Options for future interventions may include using the EAST-based leaflet in different contexts, such as a supplementary resource during face-to-face health education sessions.</p>","PeriodicalId":13791,"journal":{"name":"International journal of dental hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148684384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
James Millar, Tianyou Wu, Richard D Cannon, Mauro Farella, Li Mei
{"title":"Efficacy of Air-Polishing in Managing Biofilm Formation in Patients Wearing Fixed Orthodontic Appliances: A Single-Blind, Split-Mouth, Randomised Controlled Trial.","authors":"James Millar, Tianyou Wu, Richard D Cannon, Mauro Farella, Li Mei","doi":"10.1111/idh.70143","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.70143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate the efficacy of air-polishing in managing biofilm formation in patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This pilot study was designed as a single-blind split-mouth randomised controlled study. Twenty patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were enrolled. Each patient received monthly air-polishing with an erythritol-based powder via the Airflow Handy 3.0 plus handpiece (EMS, Switzerland) in two quadrants for five months, and the other two quadrants received the traditional oral hygiene instruction (OHI) toothbrushing as the control. The allocation was based on computer-generated random sequencing using balanced block randomisation. The gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), enamel loss assessed by quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF), and white-spot lesion area were measured and analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The air-polishing resulted in a two-fold greater immediate reduction in PI scores (p < 0.001) than traditional OHI toothbrushing for all time points in the trial. However, when compared with traditional OHI, the air-polishing did not show a significant difference in GI and PI scores (time × intervention interaction F = 0.2; p = 0.943). After five months, changes in QLF (p = 0.089) and white-spot lesion size (p = 0.311) did not differ significantly between the two groups either.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Air-polishing produced a significantly greater immediate reduction in plaque in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances, approximately twice that of conventional OHI toothbrushing, suggesting its usefulness for rapid professional biofilm removal. These findings indicate a short-term adjunctive benefit when used alongside routine oral hygiene rather than as a replacement for established home care practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":13791,"journal":{"name":"International journal of dental hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148684341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Manaah Aldhafiri, Haya Alayadi, Maram Alwadi, Alaa A Alkhateeb, Mashael Alghamdi, Ghada Almasoud
{"title":"Awareness of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws Among Dental Hygienists in Saudi Arabia.","authors":"Manaah Aldhafiri, Haya Alayadi, Maram Alwadi, Alaa A Alkhateeb, Mashael Alghamdi, Ghada Almasoud","doi":"10.1111/idh.70141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.70141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe condition linked to the use of bone-preserving and anti-angiogenic medications, including bisphosphonates, denosumab, and bevacizumab. Despite the critical role of dental hygienists in MRONJ prevention and early detection, their knowledge and awareness of the condition in Saudi Arabia had not been previously studied. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of MRONJ among dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2023 to August 2024 using a validated electronic survey distributed to licensed dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia. The 13-item survey assessed participants' knowledge of MRONJ, including its risk factors, clinical presentation, and management guidelines. The Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare knowledge scores across educational levels, years of experience, and work sectors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 181 participating dental hygienists, only 45.3% were familiar with MRONJ. Only 2.2% correctly identified all diseases treated with bisphosphonates, whereas 7.2% accurately identified all drugs responsible for MRONJ risk. Furthermore, only 19.9% were familiar with MRONJ management guidelines. Knowledge scores showed no significant differences across educational levels (p = 0.96), years of experience (p = 0.17), or work sectors (p = 0.21). More than two-thirds expressed interest in further learning about MRONJ.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Substantial knowledge gaps regarding MRONJ exist among dental hygienists in Saudi Arabia, irrespective of educational background or professional experience. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced educational programs and professional development opportunities to improve MRONJ awareness and management capabilities among dental hygienists.</p>","PeriodicalId":13791,"journal":{"name":"International journal of dental hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148619863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yong-Keum Choi, Hyang-Ah Park, Eun-Gyeong Cha, Ji-Hye Yun
{"title":"The Effectiveness of Oral Exercise for Oral Function Rehabilitation in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Yong-Keum Choi, Hyang-Ah Park, Eun-Gyeong Cha, Ji-Hye Yun","doi":"10.1111/idh.70120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.70120","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Older adults are prone to oral function decline due to ageing, necessitating interventions for rehabilitation. Although oral exercises are widely recommended, systematic evidence supporting their effectiveness remains insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oral exercise interventions for rehabilitating oral functions in older adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive electronic search was performed in PubMed, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Library and CINAHL up to August 2022. Randomised controlled trials comparing oral exercise interventions with control conditions were included. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Risk of Bias (ROB) 2.0 tool. A total of eight studies were included in the meta-analysis and pooled mean differences were estimated using a random-effects model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 1007 identified studies, 19 were included in the qualitative synthesis and 8 in the meta-analysis. Interventions targeted masticatory, swallowing, pronunciation and salivary functions. Tongue exercises significantly improved swallowing function (MD = 7.06; 95% CI: 4.72-9.41; p < 0.01) and masticatory exercises enhanced masticatory function (MD = 37.77; 95% CI: 15.61-59.92; p < 0.001). However, lip exercises showed no significant effect on swallowing function (MD = 1.43; 95% CI: -0.11-2.98; p = 0.07).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Oral exercise interventions, particularly tongue and masticatory exercises, may improve oral function in older adults. These findings support the use of oral exercise as a practical intervention for dental hygienists and community-based oral health programmes.</p>","PeriodicalId":13791,"journal":{"name":"International journal of dental hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148584244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Johanna S Acuña-Gómez, Ludwing B Carreño-Patiño, Jairo H Ternera-Pulido, Wilson G Jiménez-Barbosa
{"title":"Territorial Inequity in Oral Health: Cross-Sectional Geospatial Study of the Distribution of Dental Services in Colombia.","authors":"Johanna S Acuña-Gómez, Ludwing B Carreño-Patiño, Jairo H Ternera-Pulido, Wilson G Jiménez-Barbosa","doi":"10.1111/idh.70138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.70138","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Oral health services are central to population well-being, and their territorial distribution is a proxy for equity in access. Although Colombia incorporated oral health into the national benefits package nearly three decades ago, it is unclear whether service location reflects population needs. Therefore, this work seeks to answer the following research question: What is the quantity and geospatial distribution of oral-health services in Colombia at the departmental level, disaggregated by dental specialties?</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objective was to analyze the geospatial distribution of oral-health services in Colombia at the departmental level, disaggregated by dental specialties.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed a descriptive cross-sectional geospatial study. All dental services registered in the National Registry of Health Providers (REPS) as of March 2024 were retrieved, duplicates removed and service-to-population rates calculated. Geographic information systems were used to visualize spatial patterns.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 40,666 unique services were identified. General dentistry, orthodontics and dental radiology accounted for 74.9% of the supply, with 50.3% provided by independent practitioners. Service rates were highest in Antioquia, Bogotá D.C., Quindío and Caldas, and lowest in Vaupés and Vichada. Several Amazonian and Orinoquía departments had zero services in periodontics or paediatric dentistry.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Colombia exhibits marked territorial inequities in dental service distribution, driven by market dynamics rather than public-health priorities.</p>","PeriodicalId":13791,"journal":{"name":"International journal of dental hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148584322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparative Evaluation of Chlorhexidine, Citric Acid, and Sodium Chloride Solutions for Toothbrush Decontamination: A Pilot Exploratory Interventional Study.","authors":"Azra Kaukab, Khushi Shukla, Aishwarya Vishwanath, Devalla Ananth Srivatsa, Padmaja A Shenoy, Shruthi Acharya, Shashidhar Acharya","doi":"10.1111/idh.70137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.70137","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the effectiveness of three commonly used solutions for toothbrush decontamination, namely, 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), 20% citric acid (CA), and 3.5% sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Fifty-one study participants were given toothbrushes and instructed to brush twice daily. The participants were randomly divided into three experimental groups based on the solution used for decontamination-0.12% CHX (Group A), 20% CA (Group B), and 3.5% NaCl (Group C). After 3 months, the toothbrush heads were collected from the participants and the pretest colony-forming units (CFU) counts were determined. They were then immersed in the respective solutions for 7 h, after which the CFU counts were again determined. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the differences in the pretest and posttest CFU counts. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the mean percentage reduction in CFU counts for samples in the three groups, followed by Dunn-Bonferroni's post hoc test for intergroup comparisons.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a statistically significant reduction in CFUs in all three groups tested. CA solution (20% concentration) was comparable to the gold standard CHX when it came to CFU reduction (p ≤ 0.05). Both solutions showed a 99.9% reduction in the colony-forming unit count, whereas 3.5% NaCl solution only showed a 12.2% reduction.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>0.12% CHX and 20% CA solution showed the maximum percentage reduction in CFUs. CA demonstrated potential as an effective toothbrush decontaminant due to its lower cost and safer profile.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Clinical trial registry, India: CTRI/2020/11/028920.</p>","PeriodicalId":13791,"journal":{"name":"International journal of dental hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148583975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Acceptance and Demand for Teledentistry and the Role of Dental Hygienists.","authors":"Seo-Yoon Son, Min-Ji Kwon, Ga-Young Park, Yun-Seo Oh, Jin-Sol Woo, Yoon-Jeong Cheon, Jin-Sun Choi","doi":"10.1111/idh.70121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.70121","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In 2020, telemedicine between doctors and patients was temporarily permitted without restrictions as a response to COVID-19. However, dental telemedicine adoption was significantly lower than in other medical fields, highlighting the need to investigate factors affecting its acceptance. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptance and demand for dental telemedicine among dental professionals and the general public and examine the roles of dental hygienists in this context.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 253 participants, including dental hygienists and dentists (with ≥ 1 year of clinical experience), and adults (≥ 19 years old) with prior dental care experience. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 25.0.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant differences in acceptance were observed among groups (p < 0.001), with higher acceptance in the general public (50.3%) than in dental hygienists (27.1%) and dentists (20.0%). Over 70% of respondents across all groups recognised the importance of dental hygienists in teledentistry.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Dental professionals were more concerned about the limitations of dental telemedicine than its benefits. To facilitate the successful implementation of telemedicine systems in dentistry, establishing clear guidelines and legal frameworks for dental telemedicine is essential. Additionally, defining the roles and responsibilities of dental professionals, particularly dental hygienists, is crucial to ensuring the effective operation of these systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":13791,"journal":{"name":"International journal of dental hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148584421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Suren Azad Ramadhan, Hemn Abdul Qader, Fatima Sherzad Mamand, Diyar Salahuddin Ali
{"title":"Assessing the Therapeutic Impact of Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthwash: A Comparative Study of Various Concentration Levels.","authors":"Suren Azad Ramadhan, Hemn Abdul Qader, Fatima Sherzad Mamand, Diyar Salahuddin Ali","doi":"10.1111/idh.70140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.70140","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Oral health significantly influences overall wellness, yet it is often overshadowed by aesthetic considerations. This study investigates chlorhexidine gluconate, a widely used pharmaceutical in dental care, focusing on its antimicrobial efficacy and safety across varying concentrations. The primary objective is to determine the optimal concentration for daily use by analysing its effects on plaque control, microbial growth, and associated adverse effects.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A structured narrative review of clinical trials was conducted, focusing on comparative studies of 0.12% and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash concentrations. Per-reviewed articles were selected based on quality grading and relevance to antimicrobial efficacy and safety. The data analysis included evaluations of antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as adverse effects, to assess the suitability of concentrations under varying oral health conditions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Chlorhexidine gluconate demonstrated robust antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. It also exhibited significant anti-inflammatory properties. Comparative analysis revealed that both 0.12% and 0.2% concentrations were effective in plaque and microbial growth control, with the higher concentration showing marginally superior efficacy but a higher likelihood of adverse effects. Adverse effects, including staining and altered taste sensation, were observed with prolonged use.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Chlorhexidine gluconate is a highly effective antiseptic mouthwash for plaque control and reduction of oral microbial load, and both 0.12% and 0.2% concentrations are effective but should be selected by balancing efficacy and adverse effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":13791,"journal":{"name":"International journal of dental hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148548889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Randomised Controlled Trials of Caries Care Protocols: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Vickie Cai, Sarbin Ranjitkar, Bradley Christian, Rahena Akhter","doi":"10.1111/idh.70136","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.70136","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Caries care protocols (CCPs), commonly known as caries management systems, adopt a patient-centred, hygiene-focused approach to caries prevention. Although individual preventative strategies are well-studied, evidence on their combined efficacy is limited. The aim of this scoping review was to map and evaluate current evidence from clinical studies on the efficacy of CCPs in children and adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Primary outcomes were caries incidence (increment), progression and regression, and secondary outcomes were changes in caries risk from baseline to follow-up. Inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CCP interventions with control groups receiving only standard preventive care within routine dental services. Titles and abstracts were screened from MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science databases, and data were extracted from full texts on study setting, methodology and outcomes. Quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The three included studies (n = 1186 patients) from Australia, Greece and Colombia showed positive outcomes for CCPs. Risk of bias was moderate in two studies and high in one. Intervention groups in the higher-quality studies showed significantly lower caries increment and progression from baseline, along with a greater reduction in caries risk, compared to control groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Limited evidence from two heterogeneous RCTs shows moderate efficacy of CCPs, highlighting the need for more standardised outcomes and reporting to strengthen the evidence base.</p>","PeriodicalId":13791,"journal":{"name":"International journal of dental hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148535781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Breaking the Silence: Unveiling Workplace Violence and Sexual Harassment of European Dental Hygienists.","authors":"Matilde Santos, Victor Assunção, Sandra Graça","doi":"10.1111/idh.70135","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.70135","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to develop a questionnaire for assessing the prevalence of workplace violence, specifically physical violence, verbal violence, and sexual harassment, among European dental hygienists. Additionally, it aimed to explore the association between sociodemographic and professional variables and the prevalence of workplace violence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A three-section questionnaire was designed to evaluate workplace violence prevalence and underwent face and content validation processes. A non-probabilistic sample was gathered by administering an online questionnaire to members of dental hygiene professional associations affiliated with the European Dental Hygiene Federation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Face validity obtained positive feedback, and the content validity index was 0.98. A total of 215 individuals from 13 European countries participated in the study. Workplace violence was reported by 80% of respondents, with 23.7% reporting physical violence, 72.1% reporting verbal violence, and 45.6% reporting sexual harassment at least once in their careers. Statistically significant associations were observed between educational level and verbal violence (p = 0.036), country of practice and verbal violence (p = 0.017), years of practice and overall workplace violence (p = 0.030), type of practice and verbal violence (p = 0.023), and working conditions and sexual harassment (p = 0.030). Sociodemographic and professional variables did not demonstrate significant differences in workplace violence prevalence across different countries.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The questionnaire serves as a preliminary assessment tool, but additional psychometric properties should be evaluated. Verbal violence was the most prevalent type, followed by sexual harassment and physical violence. Limited variations were found across countries.</p>","PeriodicalId":13791,"journal":{"name":"International journal of dental hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}