Dental hygiene and research: irrevocably connected.

UNLABELLED: Although remarkable growth has occurred in the dental hygiene research arena, an increased emphasis on research development will facilitate the designation of dental hygiene as a true discipline. BACKGROUND: Dental hygienists have participated in research for nearly 100 years. Support for research development has increased due to contributions of the American Dental Hygienists' Association and other grant monies that have funded seminal educational endeavors to elevate the research skills of dental hygienists. Dental hygiene initiated research endeavors, the advent of doctoral degree programs in dental hygiene, expansion of the dental hygiene body of knowledge, and efforts toward interprofessional collaboration continue to elevate the profession of dental hygiene while addressing the oral health needs of the public. METHODS: The research focus in dental hygiene is reviewed. Landmark events that have supported research endeavors are described and examples of historically important global contributions made by dental hygienists are chronicled. CONCLUSIONS: Further development of a body of dental hygiene research will help position the profession alongside other academically recognized health care disciplines. A small, dedicated group of dental hygienists have worked toward advancing the profession in this way, but additional growth is essential if dental hygiene is to be considered a true discipline. One such initiative on the near horizon is the doctoral degree in dental hygiene.