• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.21-24
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• 2002

It is important to practice preventive method to control oral disease. Dental caries tendency has been decreased in developed countries, but early childhood caries(ECC, BBTD) became serious dental problems in many countries. To slove these problems, more positive and definite prenatal programs on infants and child are needed. Mostly the control of oral health was affected by a mother's knowledge and behavior in this stage. According to many studies, prenatal education is the most effective method to promote oral health in children. But in Korea, there is little oral health education programs for pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants and children. The purpose of this study was to access the knowledge and opinions of caries prevention among gravid women. 330 pregnant women(primiparae=181, multiparae=149), aged 23 to 39 years were randomly selected at prenatal health education courses in Seoul, Korea, 2000. Face-to-Face interviews were conducted by a trained interviewer using questionnaires included demographics, attitude toward children's dental cares, knowledge of early childhood caries, knowledge concerning pregnancy and oral health. The obtained results were as follows; (1) Most respondents were very concerned about their children's oral health. (2) 58% of the respondents were unaware of early childhood caries and the proportion was significantly higher among primipara (p<0.05). (3) Only 43% of the respondents believed that improper breast feeding could develop ECC, the proportion was significantly higher among primipara(p<0.05). (4) 82% of the respondents reportedly believed that the fetus takes away calcium from the mother's teeth during pregnancy. (5) 71% of the respondents believed that dental treatment during pregnancy was unsafe. There is a relatively low level of accurate knowledge regarding infant nutritions, maternal need for oral health and dental caries prevention among pregnant women. Oral health education and promotion programs that are science-based are needed for gravid women.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.159-162
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• 2006

This study examined the relationship between the quantity of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. related to dental caries and the degree of acidity in saliva. A total of 240 saliva samples were taken from 80 subjects at the faculty of dentistry in Skopje, Macedonia. The saliva samples were taken by stimulating saliva production stimulation with paraffin chewing. However, no stimulation was applied when obtaining the samples used for measuring the pH. The data showed that in the caries group, S. mutans in 1 ml of saliva formed colonies with confluent growth (CFU > $10^6$ and $10^4-10^5$) in 100% of samples, whereas the Lactobacillus spp. formed colonies with confluent growth in 78.3%. In contrast, no colonies with confluent growth (CFU > $10^6$ and $10^5$) were found in the control group (with healthy intact teeth). In the caries group, the pH of the saliva was slightly acidic (pH = 5.90 - 6.50) and the buffering capacity was very low (below 0.7 ml of saliva per min). On the other hand, the pH of the saliva in the control group was neutral (pH 7.01 - 7.7) and the buffering capacity was high (over 1 ml of saliva per min). The increased number of S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp. in 1 ml of saliva (above $10^5$ CFU or more) from the CRT (Caries Risk Test, Vivadent, Liechtenstein) bacteria test can indicate an increased caries risk as well as slightly higher acidity of the saliva. Overall, these results reveal that the caries risk can be predicted by simply measuring the pH and buffering capacity of saliva, and can be used to monitor the effect of dental hygiene practices with the aim of preventing dental caries.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.481-487
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• 2016

The elderly population with dementia is rapidly growing in South Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dementia and oral health in 197 subjects aged ${\geq}65$ years. The questionnaire included questions on subjective health status, subjective health concern, subjective oral health status and behavior, mastication ability, Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), and Korean Dementia Screening Questionnaires (KDSQ). Oral examination was conducted by a single dentist to evaluate upper or lower denture use, and determine the numbers of remaining and functioning teeth, including implant and fixed prosthesis. The subjects who required a dementia test (KDSQ-C [cognition] of ${\geq}6$) had significant differences in systemic disease prevalence rate, subjective health status, subjective health concern, KDSQ-V (vascular disease) score, KDSQ-D (depression) score, subjective oral treatment need, key food mastication ability and OHIP-14 score compared to the healthy subjects. The proportion of denture wearers, total remaining teeth, total functioning teeth, toothbrushing frequency, oral pain severity, symptoms of periodontal disease, subjective oral health status, and subjective oral health concern showed no significant differences between the two groups. KDSQ-C and OHIP-14 scores showed a strong positive relationship, while KDSQ-C score and total remaining teeth or key food mastication ability showed a weak negative relationship. In the multiple regression analysis, the KDSQ-D, KDSQ-V, and OHIP-14 scores influenced the KDSQ-C scores. We suggest a relationship between oral health and cognitive impairment.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.272-283
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• 2016

This study compared and analyzed the occluding effects of fluoride compounds and desensitizers, which are commonly used in dental clinics, on dentinal tubules. This study also evaluated the persistence of the active ingredients over time by performing toothbrushing with an electric toothbrush. Thirty-five molar teeth, which had been extracted within the past 3 months from healthy people without tooth decays, amalgam fillings, or dental crowns, were divided into 4 pieces each. Of these, 135 teeth pieces were used as study specimens. These specimens were divided into a control group, an untreated group, and 5 experimental groups (acidulated fluoride gel, fluoride varnish, Gluma, Super Seal, and SE-Bond). The specimens were then subjected to toothbrushing equivalent to 1 week (140 times), 2 weeks (280 times), and 4 weeks (560 times), and the occluding effects on dentinal tubules in 3 regions of each specimen were examined under a scanning electron microscope. The fluoride varnish treated group showed the highest degree of dentinal tubule occlusion effects during the first, second, and fourth weeks of toothbrushing, with the SE-Bond treated group showing the second highest degree and the Gluma treated group showing the lowest degree. After 4 weeks of toothbrushing, the Gluma treated group and the Super Seal treated group showed the lowest degrees of dentinal tubule occlusion effects. In summary, the fluoride varnish treated group and the SE-Bond treated group displayed higher occlusion effects even after 4 weeks of treatment than did the other experimental groups. Therefore, it is the authors' belief that fluoride varnish and SE-Bond are effective for treating dentinal hyperesthesia.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.284-292
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• 2016

Water supplied through dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) has been shown to contain high number of bacteria. To reduce the contamination of DUWLs, it is essential to develop effective disinfectants. It is, however, difficulty to obtain proper DUWL samples for studies. The purpose of this study was to establish a simple laboratory model for reproducing DUWL biofilms. The bacteria obtained from DUWLs were cultured in R2A liquid medium for 10 days, and then stored at $-70^{\circ}C$. This stock was inoculated into R2A liquid medium and incubated in batch mode. After 5 days of culturing, it was inoculated into the biofilm formation model developed in this study. Our biofilm formation model comprised of a beaker containing R2A liquid medium and five glass rods attached to DUWL polyurethane tubing. Biofilm was allowed to form on the stir plate and the medium was replaced every 2 days. After 4 days of biofilm formation in the laboratory model, biofilm thickness, morphological characteristics and distribution of the composing bacteria were examined by confocal laser microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The mean of biofilm accumulation was $4.68{\times}10^4$ colony forming unit/$cm^2$ and its thickness was $10{\sim}14{\mu}m$. In our laboratory model, thick bacterial lumps were observed in some parts of the tubing. To test the suitability of this biofilm model system, the effectiveness of disinfectants such as sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorhexidine, was examined by their application to the biofilm formed in our model. Lower concentrations of disinfectants were less effective in reducing the count of bacteria constituting the biofilm. These results showed that our DUWL biofilm laboratory model was appropriate for comparison of disinfectant effects. Our laboratory model is expected to be useful for various other purposes in further studies.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2010

This study was begun to search effect of contact angles of elastic rubber impression materials on the surface of working cast. Of elastic rubber impression materials with a Type III consistency, such as polysulfide, polyether and addition silicone, we selected one and then measured the contact angle after dripping a distilled water 3.3ml. Then, after pouring a dental anhydrite in three types of impression materials, we prepared a working cast and then examined its surface. Contact angle was measured using a full automatic contact angle measuring system (DM-700, KYOWA, Japan), and the surface of working cast was observed using a field emission scanning electron microscope (JSM-6700F, JEOL Ltd., JAPAN). The following results were obtained: 1) $Mean{\pm}SD$ (SD: standard deviation) of the initial contact angles were $91.3{\pm}20.5^{\circ}$ in the addition silicone materials, $90.0{\pm}2.2^{\circ}$ in the polyethers and $101.5{\pm}2.3^{\circ}$ in the polysulfides. These results indicate that mean values were similar but standard deviations of the three materials showed a great discrepancy. 2) As the time elapsed, addition silicone materials were found to have a contact angle decreased abruptly as compared with the remaining two types. That is, the initial contact angle was $91.3^{\circ}$ and it was abruptly decreased to $29.4^{\circ}$ after 25 seconds. 3) In the polyethers, the initial contact angle was $101.5^{\circ}$ and it was decreased to $90.7^{\circ}$ after 25 seconds. In the polysulfides, however, the initial contact angle was $90.0^{\circ}$ and it was $84.2^{\circ}$ after 25 seconds. This showed almost no changes in the initial contact angles. Moreover, its magnitude was greater than that seen in additional silicones. 4) There were significant differences in the contact angles between the three types of elastic rubber impression materials as the time elapsed (p<0.001). On an observation on the surface of working cast, addition silicone materials were found to have the most dense surface. This was followed by polysulfides and polyethers in a descending order.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.283-289
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• 2017

The water discharged from dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) is heavily contaminated with bacteria. The development of efficient disinfectants is required to maintain good quality DUWL water. The purpose of this study was to establish a DUWL biofilm model using well-plates to confirm the effectiveness of disinfectants in the laboratory. Bacteria were obtained from the water discharged from DUWLs and incubated in R2A liquid medium for 10 days. The bacterial solution cultured for 10 days was made into stock and these stocks were incubated in R2A broth and batch mode for 5 days. Batch-cultured bacterial culture solution and polyurethane tubing sections were incubated in 12-well plates for 4 days. Biofilm accumulation was confirmed through plating on R2A solid medium. In addition, the thickness of the biofilm and the shape and distribution of the constituent bacteria were confirmed using confocal laser microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The average accumulation of the cultured biofilm over 4 days amounted to $1.15{\times}10^7CFU/cm^2$. The biofilm was widely distributed on the inner surface of the polyurethane tubing and consisted of cocci, short-length rods and medium-length rods. The biofilm thickness ranged from $2{\mu}m$ to $7{\mu}m$. The DUWL biofilm model produced in this study can be used to develop disinfectants and study DUWL biofilm-forming bacteria.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.127-141
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• 2003

The present study conducted a survey on the correlation between job satisfaction of dental hygienists and their workplace satisfaction and quality of life. A total of 249 surveys eligible among all the collected surveys were used in the analysis. The survey consisted of 61 items; 35 items were about self-evaluations of their satisfaction with their tasks, occupation, and workplace, as well as the degree of self-affirmation and their family-related satisfaction; the rests were 26 WHOQOL-BREF items investigating the quality of life. Collected data were processed using the SPSS Ver. 10.0 calculating the reliability with the frequency, percentage, and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$. Besides, one-way ANOVA and linear regression analysis examined the correlation between the variables. The conclusion is as follows: 1. By Age: Job satisfaction and family-related satisfaction were highest in the subjects aged 30 or older($3.5377{\pm}0.6891$ at pF0.05 and $4.1789{\pm}0.5431$ at pF0.05, respectively), though the differences were not statistically significant). Workplace satisfaction and self-affirmation were also highest in those aged 30 or order($3.5753{\pm}0.4210$ at pE0.05 and $3.9695{\pm}0.4616$ at pE0.05, respectively). The differences were statistically significant. Quality of life was also highest in those aged 30 or older($3.4095{\pm}0.3529$, pF0.05). 2. By Types of Dental Institutions: Job satisfaction and workplace satisfaction were highest in the subjects who worked at the dental department in a general hospital($3.7431{\pm}0.5940$ at pF0.05 and $3.6615{\pm}0.4602$ at pF0.05. respectively), though without statistical significance. Self-affirmation was highest in those working in university hospitals($3.773{\pm}0.7151$, pF0.05), while family-related satisfaction was highest, though without statistical significance, in those working at the dental department in general hospitals($4.2500{\pm}0.5528$, pF0.05), who also showed highest quality of life with statistical significance($3.4046{\pm}0.4155$, pE0.05). 3. By Years at Work: The subjects who had worked as a dental hygienist for 12 years or more showed highest satisfaction or scores in all the variables investigated: job satisfaction($3.9326{\pm}0.6673$, pE0.05): workplace satisfaction($3.8316{\pm}0.4342$, pE0.05): self-affirmation($4.2000{\pm}0.4551$, pE0.05); family-related satisfaction($4.3778{\pm}0.4692$, pF0.5): and quality of life($3.5235{\pm}0.4323$, pF0.05). All but quality of life showed a difference with statistical significance. 4. Correlation between Quality of Life and Overall Job Satisfaction: Quality of life doesn't have a correlation with the subjects' satisfaction with their occupation or with their self-affirmation, while it does have a correlation with workplace satisfaction and family-related satisfaction(F=15.983, Sig=0.000, $R^2$=0.209). Besides, workplace satisfaction has a significant correlation with all the variables: job satisfaction, self-affirmation, family-related satisfaction, and quality of life(F=38.563, Sig=0.000, $R^2$=0.389). The above result shows that workplace satisfaction has a high correlation with job satisfaction, self-affirmation, family-related satisfaction and with quality of life. Consequently, to enhance satisfaction of dental hygienists with their workplace, it would be important to promote their autonomy and make desirable wokplace environments so that they can work efficiently with pride for their job.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.225-231
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between oral health habits and oral diseases in an attempt to raise awareness of the need for prolonged dental checkup projects and lay the foundation for oral health education and sustained oral health care projects. The subjects in this study were 2,643 workers from 76 workplaces in Siwha Industrial Complex in the city of Ansan, Gyeonggi province, who were at the age of 20 and up. The findings of the study were as follows: 1. Concerning the experience of visiting a dental clinic over the past year, 760 male workers (37.4%) and 237 females (38.9%) visited dental clinics in the past year. By age group, those who were in their 50s (54.0%) visited dental clinics the most, and the workers in their 30s (67.9%) paid a visit the least. The gap between the age groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). 2. In regard to the time for toothbrushing by age group, the workers in their 20s (64.6%) made up the largest group that brushed their teeth before breakfast, and those who were in their 60s and up constituted the greatest group that did toothbrushing after breakfast. The workers in their 20s brushed their teeth the least, as the rates of the workers of this age group who did toothbrushing after breakfast and dinner respectively stood at 64.0 percent and 54.5 percent. The disparities between the age groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001). 3. As for scaling experience for the past year, 302(46.0%) out of the workers who got their teeth scaled in the past year had periodontal diseases, and 1,600(80.6%) out of those who didn't suffered from periodontal diseases. The gap between them was statistically significant (p < 0.001). 4. Regarding the relationship of subjective oral health state to dental caries among the workers without dental caries, the largest group that numbered 327(54.1%) considered themselves to be in good oral health. In the event of the workers with dental caries, the greatest group that numbered 708(75.5%) found themselves to have one or more carious tooth(teeth). The disparity between them was statistically significant (p < 0.001). 5. As for connections between dietary habits and dental caries, those who had dental caries (2.29) showed a greater preference for snack than the others who hadn't (2.21). The preference for snack made a bigger statistically significant difference to dental caries than the other dietary habits (p < 0.05).

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.386-392
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors related to xerostomia in patients with systemic diseases, and the results were analyzed through t-test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis. There were 62 respondents (56.9%) who reported dry mouth and the season of the most severe dry mouth was reported to be the highest during winter. According to the analysis made in the relationship of xerostomia with the awareness of general health and health behavior, the group that understood their own health poorly, had more than two kinds of diseases, and had been administered more than two kinds of daily medication showed higher xerostomia. Also, those who experienced desperation, had high dryness in other parts of the body, and heavy snoring were more aware of xerostomia (p<0.05). According to the analysis made in the relationship between xerostomia and awareness of oral health state, the group that understood their oral health poorly and had pain in the oral mucous membrane and halitosis was more aware of xerostomia (p<0.05). According to the analysis made in the relationship between quality of life and xerostomia, the group that showed high level of problem in daily living and stress and were self-conscious and felt tense due to halitosis reported more xerostomia (p<0.05). Finally, xerostomia was most correlated with consciousness of the eyes of others due to halitosis followed by the number of transferred systemic diseases and stress level. Based on such results, xerostomia was understood to be an obstacle in maintaining favorable social life and health. Since xerostomia was shown to be related to the number of transferred systemic diseases, the dental professions are asked to further improve their understanding not only on oral health but also systemic diseases. Therefore, these efforts are expected to prevent xerostomia and reduce various complications caused by xerostomia.