{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T06:07:17Z","timestamp":1788934037417,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":46,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788912000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Community oral health practice increasingly requires dental hygienists to perform prevention-oriented, population-based, and interprofessional roles beyond traditional chairside clinical care. However, existing competency frameworks primarily emphasize clinical practice or general professional competencies, and an integrated competency framework specifically designed for community oral health practice remains unavailable. This study aimed to identify core competencies for community oral health practice among dental hygienists through a scoping review.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology and reported following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Literature published between 2005 and 2025 was identified through PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and targeted searches of official organizational websites. Following predefined eligibility criteria, 38 sources were synthesized across three analytical layers: (1) seven cross-professional competency frameworks represented by 12 source documents, (2) five national or regional dental hygiene competency frameworks represented by nine source documents, and (3) 17 community oral health practice literature sources. Competency domains were identified through iterative qualitative coding and retained when supported by convergent evidence across at least two of the three analytical layers.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Eight integrated competency domains were identified: Health Equity Practice (based on social determinants of health, SDOH); Population-Based Program Planning, Implementation &amp;amp; Evaluation; Professionalism &amp;amp; Social Responsibility; Policy &amp;amp; Health System Literacy; Community Problem-Solving; Interprofessional Collaboration &amp;amp; Leadership; Evidence-Based Practice &amp;amp; Data Literacy; and Cultural Competence &amp;amp; Public Communication. The resulting framework integrates competencies derived from international healthcare professional frameworks, national dental hygiene competency frameworks, and community oral health practice literature, reflecting the expanding public health role of dental hygienists.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study proposes an integrated competency framework for community oral health practice that may support competency-based curriculum development, workforce preparation, and professional development for dental hygienists. The framework provides a structured foundation for strengthening prevention-focused community oral health practice and may be adapted and validated across diverse educational, sociocultural, and healthcare settings.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1877748","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T05:50:05Z","timestamp":1788933005000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Identifying core competencies for community oral health practice among dental hygienists: a scoping review"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Su-Kyung","family":"Park","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dental Hygiene, Graduate School, Yonsei University Mirae Campus","place":["Wonju, Republic of Korea"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jung Yun","family":"Kang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dental Hygiene, Yonsei University Mirae Campus","place":["Wonju, Republic of Korea"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sun-Jung","family":"Shin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Dentistry, Kangwon National University","place":["Gangneung, Republic of Korea"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sun-Mi","family":"Lee","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dental Hygiene, Dongnam Health University","place":["Suwon, Republic of Korea"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nam-Hee","family":"Kim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dental Hygiene, Yonsei University Mirae Campus","place":["Wonju, Republic of Korea"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"481","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0528.2011.00623.x","article-title":"Equity, social determinants and public health programmes\u2014the case of oral health","volume":"39","author":"Petersen","year":"2011","journal-title":"Community Dent Oral Epidemiol"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0292549","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0292549","article-title":"Health workforce for oral health inequity: opportunity for action","volume":"19","author":"Gallagher","year":"2024","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"47","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1601-5037.2006.00159.x","article-title":"Integration of oral health into primary health care: the role of dental hygienists and the WHO stewardship","volume":"4","author":"Monajem","year":"2006","journal-title":"Int J Dent Hyg"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S6","DOI":"10.1111\/jphd.12129","article-title":"Developing core dental public health competencies for predoctoral dental and dental hygiene students","volume":"75","author":"Mascarenhas","year":"2015","journal-title":"J Public Health Dent"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"241","DOI":"10.13065\/jksdh.2025.25.3.7","article-title":"Exploring core competencies of nonclinical dental hygienists: implications for social dental hygiene curriculum development","volume":"25","author":"Park","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Korean Soc Dent Hyg"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"928","DOI":"10.1111\/eje.12883","article-title":"Competencies for dental public health specialists: a thematic analysis","volume":"27","author":"Malekmohammadi","year":"2023","journal-title":"Eur J Dent Educ"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1523","DOI":"10.1186\/s12909-024-06545-1","article-title":"Current challenges in dental education: a scoping review","volume":"24","author":"Annamma","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Med Educ"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"418","DOI":"10.1002\/jdd.12047","article-title":"The effect of project-based learning modules on a community dental hygiene practicum in South Korea","volume":"84","author":"Yoo","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Dent Educ"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.17135\/jdhs.2017.17.3.193","article-title":"Competencies for entry into the profession of dental hygiene","volume":"17","author":"Bae","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Dent Hyg Sci"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"611","DOI":"10.1111\/eje.12501","article-title":"A common European curriculum for dental hygiene","volume":"24","author":"Jongbloed-Zoet","year":"2020","journal-title":"Eur J Dent Educ"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"273","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1601-5037.2009.00402.x","article-title":"Dental hygienists in Europe: trends towards harmonization of education and practice since 2003","volume":"7","author":"Luciak-Donsberger","year":"2009","journal-title":"Int J Dent Hyg"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"63","DOI":"10.1922\/IDJ_2076Johnson15","article-title":"International profiles of dental hygiene 1987 to 2006: a 21-nation comparative study","volume":"59","author":"Johnson","year":"2009","journal-title":"Int Dent J"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"103692","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nepr.2023.103692","article-title":"Construction of a competency framework of dental hygienists: a Delphi study","volume":"70","author":"Jiang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Nurse Educ Pract"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"227","DOI":"10.17135\/jdhs.2025.25.3.227","article-title":"Accreditation standards in dental hygiene education: global comparison and implications","volume":"25","author":"Park","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Dent Hyg Sci"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"353","DOI":"10.1002\/j.0022-0337.2015.79.4.tb05891.x","article-title":"A competency matrix for global oral health","volume":"79","author":"Benzian","year":"2015","journal-title":"J Dent Educ"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1670715","DOI":"10.3389\/fdmed.2025.1670715","article-title":"Redefining the oral health workforce: advancing equity and improving global oral health outcomes through inclusive, strategic reform","volume":"6","author":"Naresh","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Dent Med"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"141","DOI":"10.1097\/XEB.0000000000000050","article-title":"Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews","volume":"13","author":"Peters","year":"2015","journal-title":"JBI Evid Implement"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"156","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclinepi.2020.10.009","article-title":"Conducting high quality scoping reviews: challenges and solutions","volume":"130","author":"Khalil","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Clin Epidemiol"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1080\/1364557032000119616","article-title":"Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework","volume":"8","author":"Arksey","year":"2005","journal-title":"Int J Soc Res Methodol"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2119","DOI":"10.11124\/JBIES-20-00167","article-title":"Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews","volume":"18","author":"Peters","year":"2020","journal-title":"JBI Evid Synth"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e96276","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.96276","article-title":"Future-proofing the oral health workforce: evidence from four low- and middle-income countries on training needs in dental public health","volume":"17","author":"Mehta","year":"2025","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"68","DOI":"10.1922\/CDH_Jun23Editorial02","article-title":"The WHO global oral health action plan 2023\u20132030","volume":"40","author":"Eaton","year":"2023","journal-title":"Community Dent Health"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1257","DOI":"10.1002\/j.0022-0337.2005.69.11.tb04025.x","article-title":"Dentistry, nursing, and medicine: a comparison of core competencies","volume":"69","author":"Spielman","year":"2005","journal-title":"J Dent Educ"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"869","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000000249","article-title":"Competencies and frameworks in interprofessional education: a comparative analysis","volume":"89","author":"Thistlethwaite","year":"2014","journal-title":"Acad Med"},{"key":"ref25","first-page":"196","article-title":"A WHO report: framework for action on interprofessional education and collaborative practice","volume":"39","author":"Gilbert","year":"2010","journal-title":"J Allied Health"},{"key":"ref26","volume-title":"Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice: Report of an Expert Panel","year":"2011"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1031","DOI":"10.1002\/jdd.12228","article-title":"Educating dental hygienists to meet future health care needs and roles of the profession","volume":"80","author":"Boyd","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Dent Educ"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"eS45","DOI":"10.21815\/JDE.017.032","article-title":"Preparing the future dental hygiene workforce: knowledge, skills, and reform","volume":"81","author":"Fried","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Dent Educ"},{"key":"ref29","volume-title":"Community Oral Health Practice for the Dental Hygienist-E-Book","author":"Beatty","year":"2021"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e119","DOI":"10.1111\/idh.12233","article-title":"Building professional competence in dental hygiene students through a community-based practicum","volume":"15","author":"Yoon","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int J Dent Hyg"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"i8","DOI":"10.1093\/eurpub\/ckaf237","article-title":"Research methodologies for creating competency frameworks for the public health workforce: a scoping review","volume":"36","author":"Kilani","year":"2026","journal-title":"Eur J Pub Health"},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2240","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-023-17182-6","article-title":"Developing public health competency statements and frameworks: a scoping review and thematic analysis of approaches","volume":"23","author":"MacKay","year":"2023","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"913","DOI":"10.1007\/s10459-019-09946-w","article-title":"The development of competency frameworks in healthcare professions: a scoping review","volume":"25","author":"Batt","year":"2020","journal-title":"Adv Health Sci Educ"},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"122","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jebdp.2016.01.024","article-title":"A baccalaureate education curriculum to prepare dental hygienists for expanded public health practice","volume":"16","author":"Rowley","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Evid Based Dent Pract"},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1058","DOI":"10.1002\/j.0022-0337.2007.71.8.tb04372.x","article-title":"Implementation of problem-based learning in a baccalaureate dental hygiene program","volume":"71","author":"Moore","year":"2007","journal-title":"J Dent Educ"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"355","DOI":"10.1002\/jdd.13741","article-title":"Dental and dental hygiene students\u2019 perceptions on intraprofessional education","volume":"89","author":"Henesy","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Dent Educ"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e22706","DOI":"10.2196\/22706","article-title":"A digitally competent health workforce: scoping review of educational frameworks","volume":"22","author":"Nazeha","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"670","DOI":"10.1002\/j.0022-0337.2016.80.6.tb06128.x","article-title":"Impact of community-based dental education on attainment of ADEA competencies: students\u2019 self-ratings","volume":"80","author":"McFarland","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Dent Educ"},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"147","DOI":"10.1111\/ger.12784","article-title":"Integrating dental professionals into aged care with focus on Australia: a scoping review","volume":"42","author":"West","year":"2025","journal-title":"Gerodontology"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"215","DOI":"10.1016\/j.adaj.2020.12.004","article-title":"Delivery and financing of oral health care in long-term services and supports: a scoping review","volume":"152","author":"Oishi","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Am Dent Assoc"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"545","DOI":"10.1111\/ger.12824","article-title":"Perceptions of visiting oral health service providers: using the Q method and focusing on suggestions for the role of dental hygienists in a community","volume":"42","author":"Lee","year":"2025","journal-title":"Gerodontology"},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1875-595X.2000.tb00543.x","article-title":"The role of the dental hygienist in the public health sector; an Australian perspective","volume":"50","author":"Baltutis","year":"2000","journal-title":"Int Dent J"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"465","DOI":"10.1080\/19424396.2014.12221388","article-title":"Promoting oral health through community engagement","volume":"42","author":"Glassman","year":"2014","journal-title":"J Calif Dent Assoc"},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"404","DOI":"10.1377\/hlthaff.27.2.404","article-title":"Giving policy some teeth: routes to reducing disparities in oral health","volume":"27","author":"Fisher-Owens","year":"2008","journal-title":"Health Aff"},{"key":"ref45","first-page":"8","article-title":"Advancing oral health equity through medical-dental integration: dental hygienists as catalysts for change in an evolving health care system","volume":"98","author":"Ahern","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Dent Hyg"},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"467","DOI":"10.7326\/M18-0850","article-title":"PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation","volume":"169","author":"Tricco","year":"2018","journal-title":"Ann Intern Med"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Public Health"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1877748\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T05:50:06Z","timestamp":1788933006000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1877748\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]]},"references-count":46,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1877748"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1877748","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-2565"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-2565","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]]},"article-number":"1877748"}}