• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.69-82
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between general characteristics and oral health behavior, oral health knowledge, and oral health literacy for adult workers. Methods: This study chose some adult workers located D City by convenience sampling method, and accepted those who understood the purpose of the study and agreed with a survey as subjects. The final study subjects were 297 except 24 with unsound questionnaires among a total of 321 questionnaires. The contents of a survey were demographic characteristics, oral health behavior, oral health knowledge, and oral literacy, and the survey was done by a self-administered questionnaire. Results: In the verbal oral health literacy distribution based on REALM standard of the subjects, a scale of 7-8, 45-60 points by score was the highest with 62.0%. In average monthly household income and oral health knowledge level of general characteristics, oral health literacy was statistically significant, and was statistically significant according to oral health literacy, monthly income of house hold, and marital status as well, and was statistically significant in oral health knowledge and oral health literacy level according to oral health behavior and in the oral health knowledge level depending on a regular checkup. And In experience existence and nonexistence of oral health education and understanding and misunderstanding of dentistry and dental health education, and main body of the decision of dental treatment, verbal oral health literacy of oral health knowledge and oral health literacy was significant. It can be seen that based on correlation among general characteristics, oral health knowledge level, verbal oral health literacy, and functional oral health literacy, there is a correlation among gender and education level, age and average monthly income, and age and marital status. Conclusions: This study presented the need for oral health literacy along with the oral health knowledge of oral health behavior affecting adult workers' oral health, and tried to establish the connection among them. Accordingly, it is thought that an improvement plan of oral health literacy for the prevention and promotion of adult workers' dental disease in the future.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.216-223
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate factors affecting the assessment of objective and subjective masticatory ability in the elderly, and to evaluate masticatory ability assessment more accurately. Methods: A total of 112 participants were recruited after oral examination in senior citizen welfare facilities. The participants' masticatory ability was evaluated objectively (Mixing ability index; MAI), and subjectively (Key food intake ability; KFIA). Participants' general characteristics and oral health-related variables were also recorded. Based on masticatory ability assessment, participants were classified as either high or low. IBM SPSS Statistics Ver.23.0 was used for all analyses, including descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman rank correlation, and Logistic regression analysis. Results: Higher masticatory ability was positively correlated with higher scores on MAI and KFIA. Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between MAI and KFIA. When analyzing factors affecting objective and subjective masticatory ability assessments, Functional tooth units (FTUs) were revealed as a related factor. In subjective masticatory ability assessment, oral moisture, difficulty in chewing, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) were also influential factors. Conclusions: In order to accurately assess masticatory ability, it is necessary to use both objective and subjective measures. Additionally, to improve the masticatory ability in the elderly, treatment should be provided to improve overall oral health and satisfaction.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.41-51
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• 2019

Introduction: This study intended to identify the current oral health care status and demand of care workers for oral health education. Methods: A survey was distributed to care workers working in 11 nursing homes for older people located in the Chungcheongdo Province. Of those distributed, 217 questionnaires were collected and analyzed. To analyze the collected data, a frequency analysis, t-test, and one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) were performed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: The demand for an educational course on the 'Management of Oral Health Care for the Aged People' had a score of 4.22 points(full marks were 5.0 points), whereas the score for the necessity for control of oral health was 4.29 points. The control of oral health for the aged people suffering dysphagia scored 4.27 points, whereas the control of oral health for older people who have dementia was 4.27 points. The score for a course on the nutritional control for aged people having difficulties in masticating foods was 4.27. Conclusion: It is clear that the development of educational courses and standardized manuals for care workers on aspects of oral health care is necessary. Therefore, it would be desirable to develop institutional infrastructure for dental hygienists to educate care workers on oral health.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.455-467
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• 2006

Demand for appropriate health care has gradually increased in Korea. In addition, developments of community- and school-based oral health programs have also focused oral health care for the oral health promotion. Especially, school-based oral health programs are the underpinnings of promoting oral health and preventing oral diseases among schoolchildren. School-based oral health programs have had three major components: oral health education, oral health services, and a healthful environments. These included oral health education(one-to-one communication, group communication, and use of mass communication), oral examination, fluoride mouthrinsing, pit-and-fissure sealants, fluoride gel application, mechanical plaque control, and chewing xylitol candy. In this study, we evaluate the effects of oral health programs among primary schoolchildren by comparing the oral health knowledge, oral health behaviors, and perception of caries prevention procedures. Data for this study were obtained from 699 primary schoolchildren at the two primary school in Daegu, Korea. One is experimental group, N primary school, that was established school-based oral health center under supervision of Nam-gu Public Health Center, the other is control group, N' primary school, that was yet to establish school-based oral health center. We surveyed children's oral health knowledge and behaviors, and perception of caries prevention procedures using self-administrated questionnaire and then analyzed differences of each item among two groups. The brief findings of this study were summarized as follows. There are several advantage to a comprehensive school-based oral health program. (1) School-based oral health programs facilitate and increase the effectiveness of teaching oral health subjects. (2) Schoolchildren are available for prevention or treatment procedure. (3) School-based oral health center may be less threating than private dental clinic. (4) With comprehensive school-based oral health programs the decayed, missing, and filled teeth(DMFT) of schoolchildren should demonstrate a substantial and steady decrease over time(Choi et al, 2004). In conclusion, treatment is not the answer to solving children's oral health programs; rather primary prevention is the key. Many countries and communities are focusing on hoe millions of underprivileged children can be provided with health care. Schoolchildren gain the knowledge and behaviors to attain and maintain good oral health in schools. For these reasons, the role of school-based oral health center is not only important but also a necessity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.11-22
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• 2004

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral health care programs in 3 school-based oral health care center among primary schoolchildren. Methods: School-based oral health care programs included fluoride mouth rinsing, pit and fissure sealing for permanent premolars and molars, fluoride gel application and chewing of xylitol candy. All of the programs were carried out by one dental hygienist among 'D' primary schoolchildren in Daegu city under the supervision of a dentist. Baseline dental examinations were completed and preventive care was implemented for 544 children during one year. All of the children visited a school-based oral health care center every three months for a regular check-up. The final oral examination was conducted from March 15 to April 1, 2004. The data analysis data was made on the basis of SAS 8.01. Mean differences between 2003 and 2004 data were compared by paired t-test. Corresponding p-values were considered significant at values less than 0.05. Results: The DMF rate and DFT index were reduced to 8.0% and 8.4% during one year respectively, but there were no statistically significant differences. The DMF rate was significantly reduced (16.3%) after a one year program of school-based oral health care practice. The DMFT(Decay Missing Filling Tooth) index was also reduced compared to 2003 throughout the entire grade. Conclusion: School-based oral health care programs can reduce the prevalence of dental caries prevalence among schoolchildren during one year. This program also improved the oral health capacity of schoolchildren. It is recommend that the school-based oral health care program should be extended to every primary school in Korea.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2024

Background: The population of Gangneung City in South Korea has shown a gradual increase in the proportion of individuals aged 65 years and older, and the most frequently reported diseases for several years have consistently been periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis. The regional imbalance in the distribution of dental personnel and resources has emerged as a problem of inequality in the use of dental care. It has been advocated to identify areas with disadvantages in dental care and develop public dental policies based on that. This study aimed to develop a customized oral healthcare program for local seniors based on a Public-Private-Academic Partnership, and to evaluate the oral health status of older adults in Gangneung City. Methods: The participants were residents aged 60 years and above in Gangneung City. A questionnaire including general information, systemic health status, and oral health status was administered to the participants. In addition, oral healthcare and education tailored to each individual's health status were provided once or twice based on their oral health status. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 for descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Among the older adults in Gangneung City, 75% had at least one prosthesis and exhibited symptoms of gingivitis or periodontitis. Additionally, the modified sulcus bleeding index decreased among participants who underwent the program twice. Over 90% of the participants expressed satisfaction with the program. Conclusion: The program appeared to contribute positively to the oral health promotion among local seniors. Further oral healthcare programs should focus on seniors in rural and old urban areas to reduce disparities in oral health across regions.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2017

Systemic health conditions increase with advancing age, and may be linked to poor self-reported oral health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between systemic health conditions and poor self-reported oral health among Korean elderly. The study used a nationally representative sample of Koreans (2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) aged 65~98 years (n=1,595). Systemic health conditions in this population were assessed by the presence of one or more of the following conditions: obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. The relative risk of poor self-reported oral health according to the occurrence of systemic health conditions was estimated by multivariate logistic regression after controlling for several potential confounders (i.e., socio-demographic factors, oral health behaviors, health behaviors, and psychological factors). After adjustment for these confounders, the relative risk of having poor self-reported oral health was greater among the elderly with one or more systemic health conditions than in those without a systemic health condition. The odds ratio of having poor self-reported oral health according to the occurrence of systemic health conditions was 1.51 (95% confidence interval, 1.08~2.12). Among the Korean elderly, perception of poor oral health was associated with the presence of one or more systemic health conditions. Future studies are needed to examine the detailed causal relation between systemic health conditions and poor oral health longitudinally.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.478-490
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of oral exercise on oral function and quality of life among community-dwelling elders. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. Sixty four participants were recruited from the dental clinic of a public health center in G City, Gyeonggi-do. Thirty one participants were assigned to the experimental group and 33 to the control group. Participants in the experimental group performed oral exercise once a week for a period of three months. Subjects in the The control group received usual oral education. The Scores for oral function and quality of life were measured before and after the treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 14.0. Results: After the experiment, statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups. were observed. The amount of saliva (p<.001), and the scores of for oral function (p<.001), and quality of life (p<.001) were higher in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusions: Oral exercise programs were effective in improving the oral function and quality of life among community-dwelling elders. Oral exercise could be an effective oral health nursing intervention for older people in the community.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.411-416
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify oral health status and oral health care needs of elderly patients in long-term care hospital. Methods: Oral health examination was carried out by a dentist and questionnaire was completed by direct individual interview by a dental hygienist for 245 elderly patients in seven long-term care hospitals in Daegu from March 12 to April 16, 2011. Results: Those who need dental care were 188(76.7%) and was done by oral health examination by a dentist. 93 patients(38.0%) wanted dental care and 63 patients(25.3%) need dental care. The most important dental service in the elderly patients was denture and prosthetic service. As demand for denture and prosthetic service exceeds the supply, but only 35.9 percent of the elderly received the dental care service by the estimation of the caregivers. Conclusions: It will be necessary to establish the customized dental care service for the elderly patients in long term care hospitals. The oral health education for the caregivers is very important and the continuing education program must be implemented in the future.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.136-139
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• 2014

Background: Occupational injuries cause major health problems, which the developed, developing, and underdeveloped nations worldwide are facing today. The present study aimed to assess dental caries, periodontal health of stone mine workers, and the relationship between wasting diseases and the years of working experience. Methods: The study population comprised 510 men, selected based on the stratified cluster sampling procedure. Clinical oral examinations were carried out, and periodontal disease, dental caries, and wasting diseases were recorded. Results: Workers were in the age group of 17-56 years; the prevalence of dental caries in the workers was found to be 74%, with a mean decayed, missing, filled teeth index of 2.89. A periodontal pocket of more than 6 mm was observed in 6% of the workers. Conclusion: The oral health of mine workers is in a poor state; steps should be taken so as to provide basic medical and dental care facilities.