• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to measure the knowledge of dental hygienists regarding dental waste, and identify the relationship between general characteristics and infection control characteristics. Methods: This study was conducted using a self-reported questionnaire in 250 dental hygienists. The questionnaire consisted of 21 items: storage container (5 items), storage locations (5 items), storage period (9 items), and storage method (3 items). The collected data were analyzed using the t-test and analysis of variance. Results: The education experience of infection management within the last year was reviewed for significant differences among dental hygienists regarding storage container and storage periods (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed regarding the knowledge of storage container, storage locations, storage period, and storage method among the enrolled dental hygienists (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study examined the necessity of developing conservative education and job education programs to improve the knowledge level of dental hygienists regarding dental waste management.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Dental Administration
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 2019

Korean dental hygienists perform more tasks in dental clinics than are described in the law. The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual work of Korean dental hygienists in dental clinics using an observational study design. Two dental hygienists observed and recorded the work performed in 1 day from the time of commencement to the time of leaving work by 18 dental hygienists working in the dental clinic in a single area. Data management, prevention of infection, counseling, calculus removal, radiography, assistance of fixed orthodontic treatment, assistance of fixed prosthetic treatment, and preparation for implant surgery were recorded. Among the tasks that take more than 1 min, the most time-consuming tasks were document management, infection control, consultation, calculus removal, preparation for implant surgery, assistance of orthodontic treatment, and assistance of fixed prosthetic treatment. Korean dental hygienists are performing various tasks, such as infection control, dental hospital/clinic management, oral disease prevention, and dental treatment assistants.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.247-253
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate guidelines and safety and precautionary devices for prevention of needlestick injuries in dental offices. This study conducted comparative analysis on the domestic and overseas guidelines for infection control and surveyed safety and precautionary devices for prevention of needlestick injuries. Based on the result of analysis and survey, this study suggests safety and precautionary guidelines to prevent needlestick injuries. To prevent needlestick injuries, staff in dental offices should be well aware of the guidelines for infection control and how to use safety and precautionary devices.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Dental Administration
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to compare the number of bacteria before and after the use of surface disinfectants, demonstrate the bactericidal effect of surface disinfectants, and emphasize on the importance of surface disinfectants by recognizing the importance of infection control in dentistry. Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, and chemical disinfectants are commonly used in dentistry. NaOCl was selected as the experimental group, and the bacterium test results obtained by comparing the table without surface sterilization as a control group showed that all disinfectants had an effective bactericidal effect (p<0.05). In the growth inhibition test comparing the experimental and control groups, all results were 100%, proving the effectiveness of surface disinfectants. The results showed that all surface disinfectants preferred and used by medical institutions were effective. Therefore, all surface disinfectants used in the experimental group were effective for surface disinfection for infection control. Dental clinicians should be aware of the necessity of disinfection of surfaces, such as table, chairs, and unit chairs, and make an active effort to ensure that both clinicians and patients are safe from infection.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2019

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate the dentist's awareness and the actual status of infection control of noncritical dental instruments. Materials and Methods: 40 dental clinics in Daejeon, South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong and North Jeolla provinces were surveyed. The questionnaire was delivered to the dentists belonging to those clinics, and the awareness and the practice of infection control were examined. The microbial contamination on the surface of five noncritical instruments (impression gun, light curing unit, 3-way syringe, shade guide, and dental floss dispenser) used by them was measured with an ATP luminometer. Correlation analysis between the awareness and the actual state of infection control was conducted. Results: Awareness and frequency of infection control was highest in the 3-way syringe. Surface disinfection using disinfectant was most frequent in all instruments. 3-way syringes and shade guides were less contaminated than impression guns, light curing units, and dental floss dispensers. Conclusion: 3-way syringes had a significant correlation between user awareness of infection control and surface contamination, and the higher awareness, the lower the contamination measurement was shown.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.306-312
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to grasp the recognition of medical consumer over the infection in dental clinic. The study performed the questionnaire by selecting the patients visiting 3 dental clinics of Daegu area as targets and analyzed 213 question papers collected. The result revealed that the infection control, which was most important for the patients, was 'instrument disinfection' (64.3%) and it was significant in age factor(P<0.01). For the responsibility of infection control, 72.3% replied that 'dentist or dental clinic staff' should be responsible for it and it was significant in academic background factor(P<0.001). For the importance of cleaning and sanitation, 70.0% replied that 'it is very important' and it was gender(P<0.05)and the age factor.((P<0.01) The person who experienced the information about the infection control of dental clinic observed hand washing(P<0.001), replacement of suction tip(P<0.001) and replacement of teeth washing cup (P<0.01) more carefully and considered whether dentist wears protective goggle more importantly than the person who did not experience it(P<0.01). If dental clinic recognizes the evaluation of infection control notified by the Ministry of Health & Welfare and performs the infection control suitable for the eye level of general medical consumer on the basis of the study result above, it can improve the reliance of hospital as well as patient's satisfaction.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 2003

This study aims to furnish basic data about prevention and infection control of Hepatitis B Virus(HBV) for those who, working in dental offices, are particularly exposed to a high risk of HBV infection. A survey was conducted to 310 students including freshmen, sophomores and juniors enrolled in the dental hygiene department in order to examine their knowledge about infection routes of HBV, clinical history of their family members and their own health. The outcomes of the survey showed following facts; 1. Students were found to lack knowledge about the present conditions of their HBsAg and HBsAb of HBV(PF0.05), conduct of preventive vaccination(PE0.05), completion of 3 required vaccinations(PF0.05) and formation of antibody(PF0.05). 2. Students named "blood"(88.6%) and "infected needles"(82.5%) as most likely infection routes of HBV(PE0.05 and PE0.01). These replies came mostly from sophomores(65.6% and 92.1%), followed by juniors(89.2%, 82.5%) and freshmen(81.1%, 73.0%). Least knowledge about infection routes of HBV was sensed with the reply "infection through breast-feeding of positive mother(27.9%)"(PE0.05). Generally, sophomores seemed to have much knowledge about infection routes, followed by juniors and freshmen in order. 3. As to clinical history of family members, 10 students(3.5%) replied that any of their family members is suffering from HBV now, 8(2.6%) revealed that some of their family members once suffered from it and 10(3.2%) reported cases of death of their family members from liver diseases. 4. Ninety-four point seven percent of respondents believed their health to be better than normal.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.397-404
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• 2014

This survey was conducted between January 15, 2014 and February 25, 2014 to investigate the practice for infection prevention among dental hygienists. Data were obtained from 294 dental clinic worker who worked in dental hospital (clinics) of Gwangju and Chonnam. At the conclusion of this investigation, according to the conclusion of this investigation, the necessity of infection control education for dental hygienists and washing their gowns after caring infected patients affected the practice for infection prevention. They also well practiced the infection prevention working in dental hospital. To prevent infection in dental clinic, it is necessary to provide the continuing education programs for dental infection control to dental clinic worker.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2009

Infection control is now recognized as an important quality indicator in dental health service setting. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate Dental Hygienist's Infection Control Practice Scale for quality management of dental health service in Korea. The data of 254 dental hygienists was subjected to exploratory factor analysis using SPSS 16.0 and confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS 16.0. The total items of preliminary scale were 21 items and 5 subscale. Principal component analysis was completed with Varimax rotation. The results show a change in factor structure from 5 factor solution to 4 factor solution. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the four subscales(Immunization and periodic tests, Clinical procedure, Handwashing, Personal protection) which have a total of 12 items. After the item deleted because factor loading was low, measured model was tested. The results of the measurement model indicated fit indices: $x^2$= 79.593(df = 38, 0 = 0.000), RMR = 0.045, GFI = 0.940, CFI = 0.904, AGFI = 0.896, NFI = 0.837, TLI = 0.861, RMSEA = 0.67. The squared correlation between four constructs were less than the average variance extracted(AVE) of four constructs. Multiple regression analysis was completed. Dependent variable was the perceived infection control practice by dental hygienist. Independent variables were four summated subscales(R = 0.552, $R^2$= 0.304, Adjusted $R^2$= 0.431, F = 25.813, p = 0.000). Unstandardized coefficients of three independent variables were statistically significant.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.32 no.6 s.301
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• pp.400-408
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• 1994