• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.161-175
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• 2008

With the change of medical environment, people are taking interest not just in treatment but in the prevention of oral diseases. As people's interest in oral diseases increases, the number of dental institutions is increasing continuously and this is heightening the necessity and importance of professional dental hygienists equipped with expert knowledge of oral health. Thus the present study purposed to survey and analyze the current state and weight of works carried out by dental hygienists, and to propose dental hygienists' works desirable in the medical environment changing its focus from treatment to prevention. The results of this study are as follows; 1. In the results of dividing dental hygienists' works into oral examination and preliminary examination, preventive works, assistance to dental treatment, oral health education, hospital administration and management, and surveying the performance rate of these works, the work of the highest performance rate in preliminary examination was collection of patients' systemic history (87.6%). It was also scaling (96.9%) in preventive dental treatment, preparation for treatment (96.5%) in assistance to dental treatment, education on the toothbrushing method (92.3%) in oral health education, and tool disinfection and management (72.2%) in hospital administration and management. 2. When the performance rate was surveyed according to age, institution, and work experience, the performance rate by work area was highest in dental hygienists aged between 27~28, those working at a dental clinic, and those with 4~6 years' work experience. 3. The weight of dental hygienists' works was high in order of assistance to dental treatment (59.1%), observation of oral health condition and preliminary examination (12.4%), oral health education (12.4%), hospital administration and management (10.4%), and preventive dental treatment (5.8%), but in the results of surveying perception on the importance of works, the importance was high in order of oral health education (34.7%), preventive dental treatment (29.0%), observation of oral health condition and preliminary examination (19.3%), assistance to dental treatment (11.2%), and hospital administration and management (5.8%), showing that the weight of works carried out current was different from perception on the weight of works regarded as important. 4. To the question on parts to be developed in response to the change of medical environment, the most frequent answers were the establishment of their roles as preventive dental practitioners (75.7%), and the establishment of their roles as oral health educators (74.9%). This was consistent with the works that dental hygienists gave the highest weight to, and suggested that dental hygienists regarded preventive dental treatment as most important. Development of abilities to give counsel to patients was 55.2%, acquisition of theoretical knowledge of dental treatment 42.1%, improvement in quality as a hospital manager 28.2%, and acquisition of skills to assist dental treatment 23.2%. These show that, even with regard to the development of future oriented dental hygienists' capacities, assistance to dental treatment was perceived less important as it was with regard to the importance of work.

• Journal of Korean Dental Hygiene Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status and views on the dental team composition and works, the experience of a dental manpower shortage and opinions on the solution. The subjects were 313 dentists and dental hygienists. The mobile questionnaires were conducted on the status of dental team composition and works, the experience of a dental manpower shortage and opinions on the solution. There was no big difference between the current dental team composition and ideal composition ratio, and dentists answered that it would be more ideal to reduce dental hygiene and increase nurse assistant when the working dentist was 3~5. 85.6% of the dentists and 56.4% of the dental hygienists had difficulty in employing the dental auxiliary personnel. The difficulty level was 8 out of 10 points among dentists and 5.7 points among dental hygienists. 91.1% of the dentists and 95.5% of the dental hygienists agreed on the necessity of expanding the dental hygienist's work. The dental works were temporary crown making and setting, surgical operation assistance, and overall dental assistance. Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to continuously make efforts to communicate with the dental personnel in Korea to solve a lot of problems such as the job assignment, the dental personnel policy and system, and the work environment.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.59-72
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to examine what the role of denial hygienist was. The subjects were 751 dental hygienists from dental clinics, dental hospitals, general hospitals, public dental clinics and their branches throughout the nation. After a survey was conducted, the collected data were analyzed with SPSS WIN 10.0, and variance analysis and post-analysis were implemented. And Forgarty's 8th integrated model, out of 10 ones, was selected to delve into the practical role of dental hygienist in detail. The findings of this study were as follows: 1. The three age groups had a significantly different opinion on the significance of individual subjects. The dental hygienists of thirty six and over found the basic and preventive public dental care courses most important, and the 31~35 age group placed most stock in education and research. Overall, the post-analysis results showed that prevention and clinical courses were considered most vital, followed by education and fundamental courses. 2. There was a significant gap between four groups from the different work places in their view of the weight of the individual subjects. According to the post-analysis, the dental hygienists from the general hospitals, public dental clinics and their branches gave more weight to fundamental, education and research areas. Those who were with the dental clinics, dental hospitals and general hospitals put higher value on clinical course than the dental hygienists from the public dental clinics and their branches. 3. Two groups with a different career also had a different outlook on the importance of the individual subjects. The post-analysis results illustrated that the dental hygienists who had worked for three years or more put higher stress on the fundamental course than those with a less career, and the dental hygienists with a five-year or higher career attached more importance to the education and research field than those with a smaller career. 4. There was a significant difference between the three age groups in their clinical role. The post-analysis results indicated thai the younger dental hygienists were more of assistants than of professionals, as they chiefly took X-ray photograph, handled treatment materials or performed treatment-related works. Overall, handling treatment materials was most common. 5. The three groups from the different work places significantly varied in their clinical role. According to the post-analysis, those from the dental clinics and dental hospitals took more x-ray photographs, handled more treatment materials and performed more relevant works, compared to those from the general hospitals, public dental clinics and their branches. 6. The two groups with a different career differed significantly in their clinical role. The post-analysis results suggested that the dental hygienists with a less career played an assistant role more, which handled treatment materials or carried out other relevant works. 7. The fundamental courses (I) and (II), preventive class (I) and (II) and its practice course were regarded as integrated subjects that they should take 10 offer preventive treatment, which was one of the dental hygienist missions. What's needed to act as dental-care educators was the basic courses (I) and (II), dental hygiene education and its practice. Finally, integrated clinical courses (I) and (II) and clinical practice were viewed as necessary for their role performance as dental treatment collaborators.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.235-245
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• 2005

The changes in korean economic environment, from quantitative to qualitative growth of economy, go with making desperate efforts, that is, companies have put through many technical improvements, quality control, improvement of service, and so forth. Enterprises cut the number of employees through labor-management adjustment, so that a shortage of labor caused. An increase in intension of labor brought about growing the proportion of occupational diseases which is musculoskeletal diseases. Because of a rapid change in society and a change in our circumstances, we have many difficulties in examine a business disease closely. In support corroboration of relevance on admission of business, a criterion for dudging afford a basis for a causal relationship of medical science, take the state of working conditions into consideration, and at the same time, give a adaptable decision based on the purpose and point of "The Labor Standard Law" as well as "The Law about Industrial Accident Compensation insurance". In conclusion, it is necessary for the dental hygienists 10 reduce the on-duty hours a day, to make good postures in working, and to remove the stressful conditions in order to reduce the incidence of the lumbago. Good working postures, appropriate rest time, and early detection, care and education of the lumbago could be recommended for the dental hygienists.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.793-803
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of dental hygiene curricula related to clinical practice in Korea. Methods: Clinical work included the categories 'history taking, infection control, oral prophylaxis, preventive treatment, education/counseling, radiography/reading, assisting/cooperation, impression/bite registration, anesthesia, etc.', and 66 works were finally selected based on the frequent tasks of dental hygienists. The subjects were made to answer nine questionnaires. Results: It was found that the theory and practice of the main works operated quite differently in lectures and practice in each school. All types of practice were applied to all schools in the case of 'scaling'. The evaluation of clinical practice was also found to be very different from school to school. Conclusions: For dental hygienists to establish expertise in clinical practice and promote quality improvement, it is necessary to develop a core curriculum focusing on clinical practice. The standardized curriculum should be improved to an efficient and competency-centered one defining clearly the role of dental hygienists considering the needs and importance of clinical practice.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.409-423
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• 2019

The purposes of this study was to confirm the current issues of workforce policy of dental auxiliary personnel in Korea. The literature review and data collection were conducted in terms of the auxiliary personnel supply, regional distribution, legal works, working environment. Despite the rapid increase in the number of dental hygienists, the number of active dental hygienists is less than half of the total, and the dental clinics still experience the shortage. Considering the dental hygienist's work, the available dental auxiliary personnel for the dental assistance is limited. The proportion of dental hygienists is concentrated in large cities, and the ratio of dental clinics composed of only dental hygienists is high. Thus, it is essential to look for a plan to solve the disparity. The criterion for judging the legality of the works is ambiguous because a large portion of dental hygienist's work is not specified in the Medical Technicians Act. The job life is also shortened, and occupational profession and satisfaction are lowered. Thus, job burnout is accelerating. The difference between the legal works and the practiced works of dental hygienist and the conflict between the personnel might be due to the lack of utilization plans for the dental personnel at the government level. Therefore, the government should establish the roles of dental hygienist in accordance with the demands of the dental health service, institutionalize the necessary policies accordingly, and make efforts to establish plans to improve the relevant laws and utilize the manpower appropriately.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.147-163
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• 2009

This study was attempted in order to look into 'Assist work' as to Implant system which dental hygienists perform in a clinical field. Subjects of this research were 362 dental hygienists who work at general hospital, University hospital, dental hospital, and dental clinics located in Seoul, Kyeong-gi, In-chon, and Jeon-buk area. As to research tool, we produced questionnaire which was comprised of the total 25 items regarding 3 of general features (age, career of dental hygienist, and personality), 6 of implant system assist work, 3 of Informed consent before surgery, 6 of preoperative preparation and maintenance related business, and 7 items related to postoperative maintenance. By using SPSS program, collected data was analyzed. Results of analysis in this study were as follow; 1. As to implant related education, dental hygienists' experience of education was high as 77.7%, and the people who is needed more education was 86.3%. Consequently, dental hygienists' concern about the implant related education was very high. 2. It was observed that most of informed consent making approvement by announcement to the surgical operation was made by dental hygienist before implant as 95%. 3. Over 80% of dental hygienists performed acquisition of cleanliness technology, motivation, back up articles preparation, treatment area arrangement, and etc. which we can check by preoperative maintenance items. In particular, response about the motivation was very high as more than 90%. 4. When performing an operation, in the case of disinfecting finger was low for 53.9% and the method was mainly washing with drug solution, and gown sterilization was performed only in 52.2%. Therefore education regarding disinfection was urgently needed. 5. Significance of education could be known that answers of hygienists experienced education appeared highly in items of maintenance method and there was statistically significant difference(p<0.05). 6. In case that assist work were 21cases or greater, agitation measurement was the most many performed in 68.9% and difference was showed up significantly(p<0.001). 7. Evaluation about periodontal tissue was high in dental hygienists who had experienced education and also there was statistically significant difference. In conclusion, assist work of dental hygienists was very comprehensive when implant surgery was performed, and all of items excluding hand disinfection or gown disinfection were highly showed up in most of hygienists. However, since there is the limit that we didn't investigate the quality of performing contents. It is considered that further study regarding the content has to be progressed for supporting this result in the future.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.265-276
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• 2004

The purpose of this study,was to find out health status, characteristics related to working conditions, occurrence of low back pain and its related factors among dental hygienists working in dental clinics, and, thus, to provide basic information necessary to set up some plans for preventing the occurrence of low back pains and improving working conditions for dental hygienists. The data were collected from 310 dental hygienists working at dental clinics in Pusan and Kyungnam area, including Masan, Changwon, Jinhae and Jinju, with a self-administered questionnaire and were analyzed finally for 295 records with SPSS for Windows(7.52K) program. The results were as follows : Working condition was considered to be fair by 562% of dental hygienists were thought to threaten their health in the dental clinics. About seventy percent of dental hygienists worked over ten hours a day and 72.8% were standing while working over 7 hours, 65% considered working hours too long. Health status was thought be more than average for 82.3% while more than half perceived certain degree of stress frequently. The rate of complaining low back pains among dental hygienists was 87.8% with pains more than medium level for 39.3%. The variables significantly related to the degree of low back pains were height, uncomfortable postures, type of working postures and the height of working table, while some variables including height, hours of working on the feet, the presence of hazardous work environment, uncomfortable postures, the presence of hazardous works, the amount of working hours, type of working postures and work-associated stresses, were significantly related to the number of symptoms for low back pains. Multiple regression analysis showed that occurrence of low back pains was significantly influenced by 5 factors such as subjective status of health, work-related stresses, the degree of perception to work environment, the degree of perception to the amount of working hours and age. In conclusion, it might be necessary to manage working conditions effectively by reducing working hours, making good postures while working and removing stressful conditions in order to reduce risk factors for the occurrence of low back pains among dental hygienists. Therefore good working postures, assignment of appropriate rest time and some programs for early detection, care and education of low back pains should be provided for the dental hygienists.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.611-625
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to analyze dental hygienists' opinions on health promotion projects in public health and their needs for specialized education in the projects, so that it could help prepare specialized education program required for health promotion projects in the future. To meet the goals, total 364 dental hygienists working in public health were asked to join a questionnaire survey via e-mail in September 2007 for data analysis. As a result, this analysis came to the following conclusions: First, it was found that 29.9% of total respondents took in charge of health promotion projects, and 26.9% respondents considered it very necessary to be responsible for the health promotion projects(56.0% considered it necessary). Almost half respondents considered nonsmoking assistance most desirable task(48.4%) and foremost demanded(50.5%) out of all current health promotion projects, 39.8% respondents answered that they could carry on health promotion task, if assigned, after completing occupational training course. Second, it was found that 39.3% respondents acquired other licenses and qualifications than certificate of registered dental hygienist, and their medical licenses or qualifications included certificate of nursing assistant(18.7%) and certificate of social worker(11.8%) by category. Third, in terms of opinions on possible ways to facilitate health promotion projects, it was found that over half respondents considered it recommended to step up specialized education(56.9%) and prepare legal basis and administrative system(53.6%). Notably, 90.7% respondents considered it necessary to step up specialized education in health promotion. Fourth, in terms of opinions on participation in health promotion projects, it was found that almost half respondents(49.7%) considered it necessary and very positive for extending dental hygienists' works in the future. Moreover, in terms of reasons for sum positive answers, it was found that many respondents considered it helpful for appointment(41.8%) and contributing to capability development and job satisfaction(44.5%). In terms of opinions that sud, participation would be unnecessary, 29.7% respondents thought that nothing would be changed in their dental health projects even with reduced number of public health dentists, and 31.3% respondents thought that dental hygienists are professional manpower responsible only for dental health works. Finally, in terms of on-the-job training(OJT) related to health promotion, it was found that 92.9% respondents desired for OJT. In terms of experiences in OJT, 79.9% respondents answered that they never joined OJT course. In other words, only 20.1% respondents joined OJT courses for health promotion task, such as nonsmoking assistance(8.8%), health promotion FMTP training(2.2%), exercises(1.4%) and nutrition(0.6%).

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.19-31
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was to seek the ways for strengthening the higher curricula for the bachelor's degree of the dental hygiene. For this two things are investigated with some students of the dental hygiene departments of colleges and workers on the part; one is what the recognition about the curricula is, and the other what are the demanding degrees through the curricula. Methods : The study has been performed with 298 people who work for dental hygiene of dental clinics and students of the departments in B region by using structured and self-administered questionnaire from March to May, 2008, and were analyzed by using SPSS 14.0 program. Results : The rate to recognize the higher curricula for the bachelor degree is 88.9%. And 70.4% among them says the curricula is 'absolutely necessary' or 'necessary'. The ways to recognize the curricula are through 'professor or friends'(53.4%), through 'newspapers of broad-casting reports'(20.5%), and through 'internet'(14.4%). They want various teaching ways including the project-centered education(40.4%), lecture-like education(25.0%), field-experience within the workplace(14.4%), lectures in the workplace(10.6%), and discussion(9.6%). Those who works in the dental clinics want night classes(49.5%, 96 respondents), internet classes(16.5%, 32 respondents), and weekend classes(14.4%, 28 respondents). They like to learn majors more deeply(30.9%), important techniques and theories about their job(26.8%), and the new skills on their work(19.8%). Conclusions : persons who are workers for dental hygiene of dental clinics and students of the departments have a requirement of dental hygienists for enforcing specialty. Therefor improve to develop education program and system about development of advance course for hygienists.