• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.5-16
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• 1986

In order to provide the better and more effective dental health service, the study for manpower of dental laboratory technician with some relevant factors such as institutions for education and training, employment status and distribution of technicians, etc. was carried out through survey for 3,885 licensed technicians during 1965 - 1985. Results were obtained through the study as follows: 1. There are 14 junior health colleges in Korea and 3,106(79.9%) licensed dental technicians out of 3,885 graduated from health colleges and rest of them obtained their licenses through practical training in dental clinics. 2. 8,030 applicants have applied to the national examination which was carried out for 22 times during 1965 - 1985. The passing rate in the examination for 22 times showed 48.3% in average. 3. The dental technicians are working mostly in 404 dental laboratories and 2,522 dental clinics and hospitals through out the country. However, most technicians are dominantly working in large citis, because 255 (63.1%) dental laboratories and 1,537 (60.9%) dental clinics and hospitals are mainly located in Seoul and Busan. 4. Regarding distribution of the dental technician, 1,126(52.1%) technicians have been employed in the dental institutions, however, 530 (24.5%) could not have a job and the rest of them (504 technicians: 23.3%) were in leave absence from military service, travelling abroad and unknown reasons. 5. Through reference review, it was found that there were 95,886 dental technician (9/ 100,000 population) in the world during 1973$\sim$1977. However, 91,553 dental technicians lived in the developed countries (14/100,000 population)) also ratio between the dentist and the dental technician in the world showde 1:0.38. In such coentries where per capita income showed $100 in average, the distribution of the dental technician showed 0.272 per 100,000 population. 6. In an estimation of demand and supply for the dental technicians by the year from 1985 through 1996 in Korea, the supply is estimated by the capacity of educational institutions as over-production even through such estimation based on the future incresing of GNP and ratio between the dentist and the dental technicianas and also ratio between the dental technician and general population. At present such ratio shows less compared with the developed contries, however, it is estimated as over-supply in 1994.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.143-159
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• 2006

Objectives; The purpose of the present study is to investigate workplace satisfaction level of dental technicians and the differences between that of dental lab owner's and that of employed dental technicians, who are working in dental laboratories. Methods; Samples were comprised of 137 dental technicians working in dental laboratories. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and analyzed to frequency distribution, correlation, t-test and multiple regression analysis. Results; 1) Dental technicians generally are 'somewhat or a bit satisfied' with their workplace situations, regardless of position, sex, and individual career. 2) Mean values of 4 items out of 11 work situation factors of employed dental technicians were significantly lower than those of lab owner's. The 4 items are the openness of management, working environment, pay, and policy in promotion and raise. They would be sources of dissatisfaction and conflict. 3) Level of satisfaction was significantly correlated with 2 subordinate variables, i.e. working conditions and administration policy. There is a tendency that administration policy is a bit more important for lab owners, while working conditions are a bit more important for employed dental technicians. Conclusion; The employer-employee relationship of dental technicians seems to be sound, as no signs of troublesome problem is detected. But the discrepancy revealed in the above results is telling that there certainly exist some disagreement in the viewpoints of the two groups. It is necessary for the dental technicians to find ways to deal with the possible triggers of discord and discontent.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.97-107
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• 2008

Objectives; The purpose of the present study is to investigate the difference in levels of satisfaction between dental laboratory owners and employed dental technicians in the area of dental laboratory management. Methods; The samples of seventy-one dental laboratory owners and sixty-six employed dental technicians were selected in a blinded and random manner. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using average values, the t-test and multiple regression. Results; 1) There was no significant difference in the average values of general satisfaction levels related to dental laboratory management between dental lab owners and employees. 2) The average values of satisfaction levels in 11 specific items scored 'above average' among dental lab owners and 'average' among employees. 3) The average values of satisfaction levels in 10 specific items except for 'trust and respect' showed a significant difference between dental lab owners and employees. 4) Important factors which influenced the satisfaction level of dental lab owners were 'trust and respect' and 'improvement of employee's benefits'. In the employees group, 'trust and respect', 'improvement of employee's benefits' and 'technical information support' were important factors. Conclusion; The present study revealed that dental laboratory owners and employees have some gaps between the viewpoints in dental laboratory management. This suggests the necessity to improve management in a transparent and economical way. However this study has some limitation in that the sample size was not massive enough.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.4
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• pp.445-449
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• 2015

Occupational lung diseases are caused by several toxic substances including heavy metals; however, the exact pathologic mechanisms remain unknown. In the workplace, dental technicians are often exposed to heavy metals such as cobalt, nickel, or beryllium and occasionally develop occupational lung diseases. We described a case of occupational lung disease in a patient who was employed as a dental technician for over a decade. A 31-year-old, non-smoking woman presented with productive cough and shortness of breath of several weeks duration. Chest computed tomography revealed a large number of scattered, bilateral small pulmonary nodules throughout the lung field, and multiple mediastinal lymph nodes enlargement. Percutaneous needle biopsy showed multifocal small granulomas with foreign body type giant cells suggestive of heavy metals inhalation. The patient's condition improved on simple avoidance strategy for several months. This case highlighted the importance of proper workplace safety.