Tuttle, Jennifer2022-03-172022-03-172021-12https://hdl.handle.net/11299/226629University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. 2021. Major: Dentistry. Advisor: Christine Blue. 1 computer file (PDF); 73 pages.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to survey U.S. dental hygiene program directors’ perceptions of their readiness for change in clinical licensing examination. Methods: An online survey of dental hygiene program directors at 326 United States schools was used to assess participant’s perceptions on their readiness for change in clinical licensing examinations. In addition to demographic information, survey questions queried opinions on alternative clinical licensing examinations and readiness for organizational change. Percentages of respondents selecting each response were calculated for each survey item. Comparison of participants supportive of alternative CLE versus those not supportive was made between geographic locations, type of dental hygiene program using two-sample t-test for continuous variables and Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables. P-values were evaluated at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: Of 326 potential participants, 102 completed the survey for a 32% response rate. Findings suggest DH program directors have a high level of commitment for change indicating they desire to follow the courses of action involved in implementation should the format of the clinical licensing examination change. The majority of participants favored an alternative clinical licensing exam over a live patient-based examination and preferred a manikin and/or objective structured clinical examination format. Although commitment to change was high, participants somewhat questioned if they had the time and resources to execute the courses of action involved in the change. Qualitative data revealed factors in driving change were ethical issues in using live patients and the reliability and validity of the examination given the on variability of live patients, Conclusion: Results suggest that DH directors perceive they are ready and have the collective capabilities to prepare their students for alternative CLEs. Time, resources and the politics of managing this change may be barriers.enThesis or Dissertation