| Sumario: | The purpose of this study was to explore the demographic profile, motivation, student experience, and career opportunities of the baccalaureate dental hygienist. All 28 graduates of the University of British Columbia's Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene Program from 1994 to 2003 were mailed a consent letter and coded questionnaire in October 2003. The response rate was 96.4%. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation were used to analyze the data. The demographic profile of the dental hygienist entering the Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene Program was female, married or common-law with no children, 30 to 39 years old, and working more than 33 hours per week as an employee in a dental office. The primary reason for pursuing the dental hygiene degree was 'personal satisfaction.' Part-time enrolment in the baccalaureate program was chosen by 59.3% of the dental hygienists. The majority of the dental hygiene students (81.5%) continued to practise dental hygiene. The graduates were employed in clinical practice (40.7%), community health (7.4%), educational institutions (3.7%), professional associations (3.7%), and alternative practice settings (14.8%). Others continued their education in a master's degree program (14.8%). Overall, the graduates were satisfied with their baccalaureate education and the options provided by the dental hygiene degree.
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