• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a clinical preventative care program, based on a dental hygiene process (accessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation; ADPIE) in a dental clinic, by analyzing patient recognition, knowledge, practice, and satisfaction with respect to oral health. The collected data (in percentages) were analyzed Fisher's exact test and paired t-test using IBM SPSS ver. 21.0 (IBM Co., USA). This study demonstrated a significant difference in oral health knowledge, recognition, and practice before and after the clinical preventive care program (p<0.05). The results were significant in the individual preventive plan within the planning stage, and in the professional teeth cleaning implementation stage (p<0.05). This result can be attributed to the sympathy of the dental hygienist (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between recommending dental checkups and regular checking of the (r=0.552, p<0.05), undergoing radiography (r=0.434, p<0.01), following an individual preventive plan (r=0.568, p<0.01), undergoing proximal machine teeth cleaning (r=0.437, p<0.05), following tooth brushing instructions (r=0.552, p<0.05), and the evaluation results (r=1.000, p<0.05). Our results demonstrate, that the clinical preventive care program, based on dental hygiene, is an effective program. Given the positive effect of dental revisits and patient recommendations promoting dental hygienists, it is hoped that this preventative program will be widely used.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of systemic disease-related knowledge among dental hygienists and analyze the effect on their job performance, empowerment, and satisfaction to provide basic data for expanding education on systemic diseases among dental hygienists and improving their job performance, empowerment and satisfaction. Methods: A survey was conducted among dental hygienists working in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do region, South Korea, from October 27 to November 10, 2020, with a total of 245 questionnaires included in the final analysis. Results: Results of analysis revealed an average score for systemic disease-related knowledge among dental hygienists of 16.53±3.33 points and the higher the systemic disease-related knowledge, the higher the job performance, empowerment, and satisfaction. The higher the coronary artery disease knowledge and respiratory and infectious disease knowledge, the higher the job performance, and the higher the respiratory and infectious disease knowledge, the higher the job empowerment and job satisfaction. Conclusions: This study revealed that the higher dental hygienists' level of systemic disease-related knowledge, the higher their job performance, empowerment, and satisfaction. Therefore, this study suggests that dental hygienists' education on systemic disease-related knowledge should be expanded, and diverse systemic disease education programs should be developed for application in clinical practice.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.305-312
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• 2008

This study was attempted to look into relation between job stress and job satisfaction perceived by clinical dental hygienists and the influencing factors for providing fundamental data to increase their job satisfaction. For this, mailed correspondence examination was conducted with questionnaire for dental hygienists who are engaged in dental hygiene duties at dental clinics in Seoul between June 19 and July 24, 2008. Total 180 questionnaires were distributed, and among these, 156 questionnaires were included in analysis except for 24 questionnaires having incomplete answers. The findings of this study are as follows: 1. The total mean of dental hygienists' job stress was found to be 3.46 points out of 5 points, and that of their job satisfaction to be 2.99. 2. For relation between general characteristics and job stress of dental hygienists, significant difference was found just in the motive to select dental hygienist (p < 0.001) and the expected period of engagement in dental hygienist duties (p < 0.05). 3. For relation between general characteristics and job satisfaction of dental hygienists, significant difference was found just in job experience(p < 0.05), current position (p < 0.05), average salary (p < 0.001), and the expected period of engagement in dental hygienist duties (p < 0.01). 4. For correlation between job stress and job satisfaction, negative correlation was shown generally (r=-0.222), such that the more was job stress, the less was job satisfaction. 5. As a result of multiple regression analysis to look into the job stress factors influencing dental hygienists' job satisfaction, it was found that the factors of excessive workload(p < 0.05) and improper treatment(p < 0.01) most influenced job satisfaction, and the descriptive power on the job stress factors influencing their job satisfaction was found to be 24.1%.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.741-750
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• 2016

Objectives: This study aims to identify dentists' opinions about the return to work of the dental hygienists with career interrupted. Convenience sampling was made of 22 dentists with the clinical experience (about 0.25%) of the 4,944 members of Gyeonggi-do Dental Association. Data were collected through an electronic survey using e-mails and telephone interviews and analyzed using the constant comparison method. Methods: Open coding was assigned to the initial data from the survey in an explicit language, and focusing on the types of their employment, working conditions, etc. Summarization and conceptualization were made of the second data in an implicit language. Results: Most of the dentists were found to have positive attitudes toward the return to work of career interrupted dental hygienists and hope to adjust their wages based on their job performance or after their probational period expires. Most of the dentists were found to have positive attitudes towards the hygienists' flexible working although their concerns about work efficiency and hospital atmosphere. This study is a qualitative study that describes dentists' opinions and presents the need for the career interrupted dental hygienists to return to work. Conclusions: The study proposed that the educational institutions should take into account the hygienists' opinions when implementing the programs for promoting their return to work and their evaluative studies.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.313-319
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• 2016

Objectives: The objective of the study was to infection control by analyzing the influence of working environment on infection control activities in the dental hygienists. Methods: The cross-sectional study was based on a survey on a total of 377 dental hygienists working in dental settings. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship of general characteristics and infection control activities. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS for Windows version 20.0, and p<0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: Predictive powers(=Adjusted $R^2$ of the investigated factors such as operation room, sterilization disinfection laundry, dental unit waterline, staff individual, infection control system, personal protective equipment, medical waste, hand hygiene, oral surgical procedures, clinical contact surfaces were adjusted $R^2=0.394$, 0.306, 0.277, 0.244, 0.241, 0.177, 0.165,, 0.154, 0.134, 0.124 respectively. Conclusions: In order to enhance infection control activities, the program development and implementation for the aseptic procedure is very important. The program should include periodic reinforcement of infection control education and regular monitoring of infection control activities.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence the organizational commitment of clinical dental hygienists to contribute to manpower management. The subject of the study was 195, and the following results were obtained as a result of collecting and analyzing data using a self-filling questionnaire from March 10 to April 20, 2020. The degree of organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and internal marketing according to general characteristics were analyzed by t-test and one-way ANOVA, and post-test was set to'Scheffe'. The correlation between organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and internal marketing showed a significant positive correlation with job satisfaction (r=0.689) and internal marketing (r=0.678). The factors influencing organizational commitment were multiple regression analysis, and the influencing factors for organizational commitment were internal marketing and job satisfaction. The most influential factor was job satisfaction, and the explanatory power was 56.1%.As a result, the internal marketing of clinical dental hygienists was found to be related to job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and the factor that most affected was job satisfaction. Therefore, institutional and administrative support from dental medical institutions is needed to improve job satisfaction, which has an impact on organizational commitment of clinical dental hygienists.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.665-676
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to analyze the association between indirect vision skills and neck, shoulder, and back pain in dental hygienists. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 85 dental hygienists working full-time at dental clinics. A survey was performed for musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, shoulders, and back of the subjects. The O'Connor tweezer dexterity test was performed using a mirror to evaluate their indirect vision skills. For statistical analyses, the t-test and one-way analysis of variance were performed. Results: The neck was the most common region of musculoskeletal pain (89.4%). The most intense pain was experienced in the neck (70.6%) and right shoulder (60.0%). Neck pain (20.0%) caused the most interference with clinical practice. Indirect vision skills were lower in the group with severe pain in the left shoulder or with high interference in work due to the left shoulder pain (p=0.026 and p= 0.017, respectively) or right shoulder pain (p=0.004). Conclusions: In this study, neck pain was a major musculoskeletal symptom among dental hygienists, and poor indirect vision skills were associated with the development of shoulder pain. Therefore, to prevent such musculoskeletal symptoms, dental hygienists should become proficient in indirect visualization, which enables a balanced and neutral posture.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Dental Administration
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2017

Objective: To understand the experience of medical accidents and disputes according to clinical career of dental hygienists. Methods: A self-administrated questionnaire survey was conducted from May 2012 to June 2012 targeting 313 dental hygienists in Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea. Data were analyzed by descriptive analysis, χ2-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0. Results: 1) The group who had more than 6 years of clinical experience experienced complaints from patients (70.3%) and dental hygienists duty (30.7%); 2) Complaints were related to diagnosis, dental treatment instruments and materials, scaling, impression preparation, and prosthodontics. Pediatric patients had significantly more complaints compared to other patients. Overall, there were more frequent cases in the group with over 6 years of clinical career; 3) For the psychological state after experiencing patients' complaints, 'the process is difficult, but I forget after thinking it could be happen' had 160 respondents. Among them, 38.1% had clinical experience of more than 6 years, 37.5% had less than 3 years, and 24.4% had clinical career of 3~6 years; 4) About 73.6% of those had 3~6 years of clinical career answered that 'sometimes it is doubtful' on the issue of medical accidents and conflicts on prevention education of dental hygienists that 'there is a doubt about the issue of medical treatment or the occurrence of disputes'. About 60.0% of those who had less than 3 years of clinical experience answered that it was highly 'necessary but not urgent' on the necessity of preventive education, while 87.1% of those who had more than 6 years of clinical career answered that it was highly 'necessary but not urgent' on the necessity of preventive education. The difference between the two was not statistically significant. Conclusions: It is necessary and urgent to provide education related to prevention and countermeasures against malpractice disputes for dental hygienists.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.491-503
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the importance of perception and communication ability among dental hygienists and provide evidence for the activation of communication education necessary to improve communication ability required in the actual dental field. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted on 227 members attending conservative education in 2020. Results: The following are mean scores of each area of communication according to importance: message conversion ability, 3.82 points; interpretation ability, 3.74 points; goal setting ability, 3.51 points; self-expression ability, 3.48 points; and role performance ability, 3.46 points. The ability was interpreted in the following order: interpretation ability, 3.61 points; message conversion ability, 3.56 points; role performance ability, 3.43 points; self-expression ability, 3.32 points; and goal setting ability, 3.10 points. The highest score in terms of importance of awareness was 4.27 points, the highest among interpretive abilities, that is, to 'listen carefully to know what the other person intends to say.' When it comes to communication skills, the highest score was 4.12 points for 'a nod or a facial expression of understanding while listening to each other.' Conclusions: In devel oping a training program related to communication for dental hygienists at the clinical site, the curriculum reflecting seven items that needs improvement should be revised; and through this, it is expected that dental hygienists' communication skills will be improved.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.315-321
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• 2022

Objectives: Although the number of clinics offering temporomandibular joint (TMJ) physical therapy has been increasing to help with its treatment, the scope of dental physiotherapy reflected in the dental hygienist curriculum is very limited. This study aims to survey the status of dental physiotherapy work and the need for educating dental hygienists. Methods: An online community platform was used to survey 140 dental hygienists working in clinical dental hospitals. The survey included questions about general characteristics, the experience of dental physiotherapy work, the importance of physiotherapy work performance, and the need for physical therapy education for dental hygienists. Results: Half of the study participants had prior experience working in dental physiotherapy. Out of 140 participants, 88.6% agreed with the opinion that 'physical therapy work is important or that it will become important'. Furthermore, 84.3% agreed that 'physical therapy education is necessary for dental hygienists'. Even dental hygienists without physical therapy experience (50.7%) believed that related education would be necessary because of the importance of physical therapy work in dentistry. Conclusions: This study suggests the need for education in dental physiotherapy to help dental hygienists effectively perform clinical tasks.