| The purpose of this study was to identify perceptions of dental hygiene educators regarding the use of manikins for the dental hygiene clinical licensure exam. This qualitative study used an exploratory, online, focus group design with 20 dental hygiene educators recruited
with purposive sampling. An interview guide was established and validated by focus group experts and pilot-testing procedures. Each focus group session was recorded and transcribed using Zoom. Themes were analyzed using the classic analysis strategy. Validity was established using investigator triangulation, member checks, and saturation. Three major themes were
identified: lack of knowledge, testing considerations, and perception of value of clinical licensure exams. The manikin exam appears to resolve concerns about the use of the live patient clinical exam. The need for a clinical licensure exam was questioned as participants expressed the
accreditation standards of the entry-level program is appropriate to demonstrate competence for licensure. |