• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.905-915
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• 2010

Objectives : This research identified the attitude towards senior citizens targeting the workers of the facility for senior citizens to establish Long-Term Care Insurance System early on, and to identify the degree of perception on the importance of senior citizens' oral health and on the need for dental sanitation specialists. Methods : This research targeted 233 workers of the facility for the senior citizens located in some parts of the Gyeongnam area. Survey was conducted from December 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010 to identify the facility workers' attitude towards senior citizens and on the perception towards Long-Term Care Insurance System. Results : 1. As for the awareness towards senior citizens, 50.2% said that they are comfortable around senior citizens while degree of kindness towards senior citizens was 48.5%. 21.0% had experienced training for senior citizens' oral health management. As for the question on who should serve as the trainer, dental sanitation specialists were citied the most with 47.6%. 29.2% was very interested in the senior citizens' oral health while 83.7% said that oral cavity managers are needed in the facility for the senior citizens. As for the question on who should be in charge, if necessary, dental sanitation specialist was cited the most with 57.9%. 2. Awareness on the Long-Term Care Insurance System, treatment for the oral cavity sanitation by visiting homes and information on the activity of long-term care specialists was high following the experience of training for the senior citizens' oral health management in case of the workers at the senior citizens' facility. This manifested statistically significant difference(p<0.05)(p<0.01). Moreover, treatment for oral cavity sanitation manifested statistically significant difference was manifested in the treatment for oral cavity sanitation following the need for oral health managers and who should be in charge, if necessary(p<0.01). Conclusions : These results advocate the need to develop diverse senior citizens' oral health management methods and to continue to carry out actions for senior citizens' oral health improvement that can be carried out by the long-term caretakers for the management of senior citizens' oral cavity health.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a virtual reality (VR)-based oral strength training program and apply it to older adults to assess improvements in oral function. Methods: The oral strength training was conducted 12 times over 6 weeks, from late August to early October 2023, at the participants' institution. Each session lasted approximately 60 minutes. Forty-one participants aged 65 and older were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Results: Following the VR-based oral muscle strength training, the O'Leary index decreased by 0.42 (p<0.01), and the Löe & Silness index decreased by 1.11 (p<0.01). Additionally, there was a 1.24 reduction in tongue tie (p<0.01) and a 0.55 increase in salivation (p<0.05). Post hoc comparisons revealed significant differences between the two groups in gingival bacterial film (p<0.001), gingivitis (p<0.001), and tongue plaque (p<0.01). Conclusions: The study found that VR-based oral muscle strength training can improve oral health among older adults. Therefore, the VR-based oral muscle strength training program developed in this study could be beneficial in health promotion programs for the elderly.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.335-346
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• 2020

Objectives: This study investigated the association between oral health and suicide attempts in adults aged 65 years or older using the 7^th Korea National Health and Examination Survey (KHANES, 2016-2018). Methods: Of the total 24,269 participants of the 7^th KHANES (2016-2018), 1,488 adults aged 65 years or older who had an oral health examination were selected. Variations in suicide attempts with demographic characteristics and perceived oral health status were analyzed using the χ² test, and the association between oral health and suicide attempts was analyzed using the logistic regression model. Results: The suicide attempt rate was higher among older adults with chewing (p<0.01) and speaking (p<0.05) difficulties. The odds ratio for a suicide attempt was 1.05 times higher among those with tooth loss (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our results showed that older adults with tooth loss had an increased risk of suicide. Thus, it is important to prevent tooth loss, in the first place, through proper oral health management. If tooth loss occurs, appropriate treatment should be prioritized to facilitate functional recovery. Finally, national support is required for older adults with limited access to dental care.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.809-817
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic factors and the unmet dental care needs of the living alone and living with family elderly groups to confirm the differences in their influence. Methods: Data from the Korea Health Panel Study of 2016 were used to analyze a total of 4,987 individuals: 4,008 in living with family group and 979 in living alone group. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS Version 22 (p<0.05). Results: We observed that 16.5% and 28.3% of the participants from the living with family and living alone groups had unmet dental care needs, respectively, indicating that the living alone group had more unmet dental care needs. Income level, residential area, and healthcare security were significant factors related to the living with family group. In contrast, medical aid for healthcare security was a significant factor related to the living alone group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results confirmed that socioeconomic factors that affect unmet dental care vary according to the living situation. Therefore, the government should identify the number of elderly individuals living alone, which is increasing annually. These individuals are vulnerable in almost all aspects, and the government should establish and implement appropriate oral healthcare policies to support them.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.425-435
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the opinions of registered dental hygienists (RDH) and dental hygiene students (DHS), professionals who can practice visiting oral health care (VOHC), and the demand for specialized training courses of RDH for VOHC. Methods: Using a Google online survey, 125 RDH and 106 DHS personnel were surveyed on their perception of VOHC and the operation of special training courses. Results: RDH (97.6%) and DHS (96.1%) agreed that they needed VOHC for older people. Moreover, the qualification course for specialized training for VOHC was considered necessary. Regarding the appropriate curriculum, RDH preferred training programs comprising 2-hours classes over 6 months and 15 weeks and so on, and DHS preferred 3 hours classes over 6 months and 15 weeks and so on. Regarding the desired working type, the RDH preferred the half-day system, whereas the DHS preferred the alternate-day system. The Korean Dental Hygienists Association was intended for human resource development. They agreed that continuing education was necessary when working as a visiting RDH, and many responded that they would participate if a specialized training course was opened. Conclusions: RDH and DHS have a high level of awareness of the importance and necessity of VOHC, and consider a specialized training qualification course necessary for efficient VOHC.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.723-730
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• 2014

Objectives : This research was conducted to investigate geriatric care workers' oral care, and the oral care conditions of residents of elder care facilities in relation to workers' knowledge of oral care. Methods : A survey was conducted from November 2011 to February 2012 with geriatric-care workers in elder care facilities located in Busan and other areas of Gyeongsangnam-do. Results : With regard to their oral self-care practices, 52.5% of the geriatric workers "brushed their teeth from top to bottom" and 58.1% brushed their teeth 3 times a day. Further, 52.0% did not use any oral care products, while 36.5% used Mouthrinese. The workers who brushed their teeth in their own ways or from top to bottom had significantly higher oral care knowledge scores than those who brushed from left to right (p<.05). Concerning oral hygiene care for residents, 72.6% of the geriatric workers recommended that elders visit dentists for oral care, 96.6% helped elders oral wash their teeth every day, and 54.7% used oral care products for the elders. The workers who did not recommend visits to dental clinics scored slightly higher than those who did (p<.05). Additionally, those who did not help elders oral wash their teeth scored significantly higher than those who did (p<.05). Except for oral wash to recuperated old man and recommendation of visiting the dentist, relation between oral care and knowledge about oral health and oral hygiene care is plus mutual relation. Conclusions : To manage the accuracy and quality of oral care work performed by geriatric care workers in elder care facilities, enhancing standard training and education on oral care is necessary. Providing systematic, regular education on such knowledge and practices would also be essential.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.593-605
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• 2009

Objectives : In an aging society, as the necessity of the elderly oral health care was increased, the oral health dimensions was a lot more visible important to a community public health service for the quality of life improvement. In oral health care of the elderly, the periodic scaling treatment was required to manage periodontal tissue care. Methods : So, the 319 elderly people were selected by a random sampling method, those who are visitors of 5 public health centers in the South Jeolla Province. based on the findings of personal interview questionnaires and oral health states from these elderly subjects, we made a comparative analysis of oral health states of the elderly scaling program subjects. Results : 1. Among the participants, 52.4% of the elderly benefited from scaling care project otherwise 47.6%, the subjects with periodontal diseases were 78.4%, whereas 21.6% of the ones who don't. 2. In regard to perceptions of oral cavity abnormal symptoms, findings revealed that the teeth smart sensation with something cold was 'yes' 62.7%, 'No' 37.3%, gingival bleeding was 'yes' 61.4%, 'No' 38.6%, oral odor(halitosis) was 'yes' 63.3%, 'No' 36.7%, and dried mouth was 'yes' 63.3%, 'No' 36.7%. 3. The study data showed 73.2% of periodontal disease subjects, and 24.6% of no periodontal diseases responded that they have hyperesthesia and 67.6% of periodontal diseases, 39.1% no periodontal diseases responded that they have gingival bleeding. 4. In comparison of the presence of periodontal disease with scaling service program state, it is show that the elderly scaling service program was significant statistically in Elderly's periodontal disease prevention. according to analysis, 52.4% of the subjects with and 34.8% of no periodontal diseases received the Elderly scaling service program(p<0.05). Conclusions : Therefore, oral health care of the elderly, a community public health service the periodic scaling treatment was required to manage periodontal tissue care.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.233-242
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data for searching for the method to induce more positive knowledges and attitudes about the old from the university students majoring in dental hygienics, health and social welfare university students majoring in the old, who will face the change of aging society directly. Methods : The study selected 1 school in Busan and Daegu respectively with convenience sampling from September 2010 to October 2010, performed questionnaire(self administered questionnaire) to 401 students majoring in dental hygienics, health and social welfare and achieved following conclusions. Results : 1. When the students without the education experience about the old have negative experiences, the degree of interest in the old was high and when they have positive experiences, the attitude score about the old was high(p<0.001). 2. For education experience about the old, the students majoring in dental hygienics have the lowest experiences(p<0.001). 3. For knowledge, attitude and behavior about the old depending on major, the students majoring in social welfare have the highest interest and for the knowledge about the old in physical area, the students majoring in health have the highest knowledge(p<0.01).4. The area related with the knowledge about the old showed significant correlation in all of physical, psychological and social area(p<0.001). 5. The factors giving effects to the attitude about the old were gender(p=.006), experience(p=.003) and education experience related with the old(p=.022) and the factors giving effects to the behavior about the old were experience(p=.036) and attitude about the old(p=.000). Conclusions : It is necessary to develop actual education program that can provide preliminary dental hygienists with positive attitude about the old and reflect a lot of matters related with psychological area and social area about the old. In addition, it is necessary to establish the opportunity to understand the old through voluntary service activity related with the old in connection with local community. It is necessary to recognize the old positively by showing the positive figure.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.559-566
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• 2016

Objectives: This research has executed a new oral health promotion program among the elderly residents of a long-term care center, which purpose was to verify its effectiveness of oral health promotion through the improvement of their oral function. Methods: This study has selected the elderly over the age of 65, capable of communication, who use a long-term care center over the period of two months between July and September 2014. The subjects who remained until the final analysis numbered 50 excluding the dropouts during the program session (experimental: 33, control : 17). The oral stretching program was exercised two days a week, for total of two months. Each function was assessed by the standardized methods and measurement equipment. Also the sum of each function was converted into the oral health grade. Results: The oral function score of the experimental group also showed a statistically significant difference after the execution of the program, where the oral function score of experimental group increased $6.70{\pm}1.30$ from $4.95{\pm}0.89$ after the execution of the program (p<0.05), while the comparison group showed no valid statistical difference with the score result of $5.00{\pm}0.87$ down from $5.11{\pm}0.93$ after the execution of the program (p>0.05). Conclusions: Therefore if the oral health promotion program is reflected to the welfare policy in the future, it can be said that it contributes to the improved health status of the elderly who reside in the long-term care centers.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.693-700
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the number of remaining natural teeth in elderly people visiting dental care services and the factors affecting dental visit. This study will contribute the development of oral health promotion programs for the elderly people. Methods : Subjects were 172 elderly people recruited from 217 senior citizens visiting public oral health care services in 16 districts in Busan. They completed self-Corresponding Author reported questionnaires. Results : Elderly people had less remaining natural teeth (p<0.001). The remaining natural teeth ($15.07{\pm}8.75$) of the health insurance beneficiary were majority than those of the medicaid ($8.78{\pm}8.45$)(p<0.001). The respondents with better oral health condition had more remaining natural teeth (r=0.317, p<0.001), and those who were more worried about oral health had less remaining natural teeth (r=-0.599, p<0.001). Aging accelerates loss of natural teeth (p<0.001) of 3.203. Approximately 2.188 remaining teeth will be preserved by oral health care improvement (p=0.009). Conclusions : Frequent dental clinic visit will prevent natural teeth loss in the elderly people. Toothbrushing is the most efficient method of oral health care in the elderly people. Awareness towards oral health care is the motivation to preserve natural teeth in the elderly people.