• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-34
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• 2004

The present study reviews the license registration status of dental technicians and dentists from 1970 to 2002, the number of technician members of The Korea Dental Technician Association from 1990 to 2003, and the number of dentist members in 2003. It also considers the yearly membership fluctuations, its growth rates, yearly increase/decrease, the rate of dentist to dental technician, regional distribution of association members, regional yearly increase/decrease of the members, and the regional distribution of dentists and dental technicians. The purpose is to identify and predict the problems in the demand/supply of dental technicians and the regional imbalance of manpower distribution. By doing so, this study attempts to propose the appropriate standard for the supply of dental technicians and point out the necessity of making mid- or long-term plans for ensuring the efficiency of manpower supply and balanced regional distribution. The result is as follows: 1. The number of dental technicians and dentists in 2002 has grown 36.79 and 9.27 times from 1970, and 2.20 and 2.05 times from 1990, respectively. It tool 11 years for the twofold increase of dental technicians from 1990, one year faster than the same increase of dentists. The number of dental technicians per a dentist was the lowest in 1972 (0.21 person), and the highest in 2002 (0.86 person). Specifically, the fastest growth was observed for a year from 1983 (0.47 technician per a dentist) to 1984 (0.6). From 1984 to 1986, the ratio grew by 0.1 every year. Summing up the numbers of dentists and dental technicians who passed the national certification examination, this study predicted the number of dental technicians per a dentist to be 0.88 in 2003, and 0.90 in 2004. 2. From 1990 to 2003, the average distribution of dental technician was 71.76% in the metropolitan areas and 28.24% in other smaller regions. The proportion of dental technicians working in the three major cities (Seoul, Busan, and Daegu) was the lowest in 2001 (52.39%) and the highest in 1996 (62.66%). The majority number of dental technicians who practiced in the metropolitan areas (about 70% of the entire population) were in service in the three major cities. 3. Compared with 1990, the number of dental technicians in 2003 grew 2.28 times in the large cities, and 2.05 times in other smaller regions. The yearly growth rate was the highest in 1994 over the previous year: 26.06% in large cities and 17.86% in the other regions. In the large metropolitan cities, the growth rate was the highest in Incheon (5.8 times for 5 years from 1998 to 2003), In the rest of the regions, the increase of dental technicians was the highest in Gyeonggi (6.5 times from 1990 to 2003). 4. In 2003, as much as 73.40% of all the members of the Korea Dental Technician Association were distributed in the large metropolitan cities, and the rest 26.60% were in other smaller regions. Meanwhile, 54.35% of the dentists practiced in the metropolitan cities, and the rest 45.65% were in service at other regions. This result indicates that more dental technicians than dentists are concentrated in large cities. More than half of all the technician members of the Association are distributed in the three major cities (i.e. Seoul, Busan, Daegu). On the other hand, 42.03% of dentist members are in these three cities and 53.97% of them practice in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Busan. In 2003, the ratio of dentist to dental technician is 1:0.43 in general, while the ratio is 1:0.58 in the metropolitan cities, and 1:0.43 in other regions. In 2003, 33.30% of all the certified dental technicians are the member of the Korea Dental Technician Association, while 66.82% of all the licensed dentists are its members.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.5-19
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• 1987

The factors which impact on the productivity of medical organization are technique, manager, raw materials, management style, manpower structure, job construction, and so on. Human resources is the most important factor among them, but the productivity of serice organization can not be measured easily. The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of laboratory status, the degree of job cognition, and stress on the productivity of dantal prosthetic products, and to fine out the factors which impact on the productivity. The results were as follows: 1. The job characteristice of crown bridge laboratory part and porcelain laboratory part similar to each other. Also partial denture laboratory part and complete denture laboratory part were similar to each other. But that of orthodontic laboratory part was different from other. 2. the degree of job cognition made significant difference statisfically according to job characteristics of each dental laboratorise. 3. The correlation coefficient between job cognition of dental laboratory technician and workshop environment was.23, but the correlation between job cognition job stress appeared reversely, its coefficient was-.17. 4. The productivity of technician engaged in dental laboratory was much heigher than that of technician engaged in dental clinical laboratory room, and each were different in the degree of job cognition. 5. the most important factors which impact one the performance productivity of dental laboratory technician were the fact whether he married or not and his status.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the image and the awareness of dental laboratory technicians in health allied college students. Methods: The subject of this research are 431 health-related major students who are selected by convenience sampling from Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do. After a survey was conducted, the answer sheets from 401 respondents were analyzed except for 30 incomplete ones. The collected data is statistically analyzed by SPSS(Statistical Packages for Social Science 12.0. SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The findings of the study were as follows: As a result of general awareness about dental laboratory technicians, the health allied college students knew 83.0% about dental laboratory technician as a job. Respondents showed high recognition about dental laboratory technician as a job($3.62{\pm}0.31$), which showed that the health allied college students took a favorable view of dental laboratory in general. There were significant difference in dental laboratory technician image with age, gender(P<.05). Conclusion: It is required to develop programs such as proactive public relations or campaign via mass media that could enhance the public recognition about dental laboratory technician up to one of professional as required. It is also necessary that dental laboratory technicians make steady efforts for self-development to enhance their own job philosophy and skills in the level of quality, while they need various educations for building up their own favorable personality and positive ideas.

• 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.34 no.3
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• pp.283-290
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was aimed to know the perception about Certified Dental Technician system of students majoring in dental laboratory technology in Korea. Methods: A survey was conducted for four months from August through November 2011 with questionnaires. The responses from 1148 students majoring in dental laboratory technology in Korea were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 program, and frequency analysis and chi square test were implemented. Results: Total students who responded to the questionnaire were 1148 (100%). The population characteristic of this survey is that 691 (60.2%) are male. The respondents believed that the job skill could be expanded by implementing the system (85.6%). Also, they responded that they would be willing to acquire the Certified Dental Technician qualifications in the future (95.5%). Conclusion: Students majoring in dental laboratory technology in Korea believed that the execution of the system of Certified Dental Technician would expand the dental technology industry.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.133-150
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• 1988

In order to know the recognition of dentist and laboratory technician about work order transmission and communication and troubles of restorations, this study was conducted for 84 practicing dentists and 122 dental laboratory technicians in Pusan during Mar. to Apr. 1988 using a questionnaire method and was analyzed by the use of percentage, $X^2$-test. Conclusions It is necessary that both dentist and laboratory technician clearly reconize and fulfill their responsibilities to one another. Dentist and dental laboratory technician should offer constructive criticisn to one another as interdependent member of a team. Effective use of work authorizations certainly promotes communication between the dentist and dental laboratory thechnician.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.257-266
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• 2014

Purpose: This report intend to provide basic materials of Musculoskeletal diseases prevention program development and preventive measures establishing by surveying Musculoskeletal symptoms. Musculoskeletal disease and Musculoskeletal disease prevention act about dental technician in Daegu. Methods: From October. 2012 to November. 2012 by conducting self - survey using questionnaire and use unit490 final analysis data. Results: In dental Technicians, as the musculoskeletal symptoms back or waist pain rate appear such as 28.2% and as the musculoskeletal disorders, the shoulder region pain complaint rate appear highly such as 87.4%. Musculoskeletal disease prevention act was highly appeared man more than women, the married than the unmarried, over 10 years dental experience, fewer working hours per day, the average monthly income is greater regular medical check-up dental technician than technician who do not. As working environment, In case working in laboratory whch dust is well ventilated and with a barrier, Musculoskeletal disease prevention act rate was highly appeared more than another technician who do not. Conclusion: We must prepare an effective preventive measures. To development Musculoskeletal disease prevention program suitable for dental technic working and make obliged to practice.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine after graduation of dental technology-do continuing education confirm attendance and expectation level. Methods: The subjects in this study were 151 dental technician in Seoul, Inchon, Gyeonggi and Chungcheongnam-do in province. A survey was conducted from April to May 2011, and the collected data were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 program. Results: Participation the continuing education 40.4%, do not attend the continuing education 59.6%. General characteristics of respondents according to education after graduation, participate the continuing education in career 5-10 years 54.1%. Do not attend the continuing education three-year graduation 90.6% is the most highly statistically significant survey showed significant differences(p<0.05). Through continuing education, four-point scale of satisfaction survey results, general average $3.00{\pm}0.65$, higher educational status will create more autonomy and authority in the work place $3.15{\pm}0.62$ was the highest. Conclusion: Expectation effect about continuing education and education effect after participating, the dental technician recognized that they felt pleasure and satisfaction through education.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the improvement measure of dental technicians practical examination system. Methods: The subjects in this study were 290 dental technicians who were self-written questionnaire. The results were analyzed by SPSS 16.0. The collected data was analyzed by frequency and chi-square test. Results: Dental technician practical exam feasibility of survey were largely negative views. Articulators work required in practical exam as a tool used (28.7%), electric wax carver (19.5%), heating clear (17.8%), handpiece (16.2%) had a response. Dental Technician positions in accordance with practical exam in comparison to satisfaction, the professor is satisfied, but the clinical dental technicians were generally dissatisfied (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, Current is necessary to analyze the practical test. It also should be compared with foreign institutions. Long-term and short-term improvement examination system that can be applied to the improvement of the dental technician to draw practical test it is necessary to improve the system.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.417-433
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• 2010

Purpose: This study evaluated the manpower planning of dental technicians. Methods: Methods : Survey was conducted regarding subject's general characteristics, characteristics of dental technician's occupational view and working conditions, and reason to enter into branches of the public health enter. The survey sample consisted of 323 dental technicians (221 male/ 102 female). Survey was conducted for one month from August 1 to September 1 in 2010. Following results were obtained. Results: 1. Regarding general characteristics of the subjects, there was a slight male predilection with 68.4%. Subjects in their 40s occupied the highest proportion of 32.2%. Majority of subjects worked in the big cities (71.5%). Favored working places were dental laboratory (57.6%) and dental hospital or dental clinic (19.5%). Although no position is available in the public sector such as public health center or health care civil servant, 9.3% preferred working in the public health center. Public sector is more favored than 2-year technical colleges or dental supply and equipment companies. In respect to education, 57% of the subjects graduated college. 67.8% were married. Subjects who specialize in the porcelain or all-ceramic were 57.9%. With regard to current position, head of the dental laboratory was most common. 2. Following occupation characteristics were found. Economic reason took the highest proportion when deciding their occupation (39.9%) followed by gaining social experience (36.5%). Majority of the subjects (76.5%) wanted to work as dental technicians until their retirement. 71.5% pursuit to become a manager of the dental laboratory. 76.1% agreed on opening a dental technician position in the public health center. Regarding an authority to lead developing the dental technician position in the public sector, majority of the subject chose ministry of health and welfare (35.6%) and Korean dental technologist association (34.7%). Employment (average, 30%) and turnover rate (average, 36.5%) of dental technology college graduates ranged from 40% to 60%. Most important factors for the employment were practical experience (41.2%) and competency (34.4%). With regard to job satisfaction, so-so as 46.7% and satisfactory was 42.7% 3. In respect to the reason for opening a position in the public health center, 'It is needed to continue denture rogram for elderly patients' obtained the highest score (4.14 point). 'Institutional devices are required to open a position for dental technicians as a public healthcare provider' received high score (4.11 point). 4. Concerning the working conditions, 'professional knowledge is required' received the highest score (4.23) followed by 'too short maternity and parental leave' (4.21). 5. Relationship between general characteristics of the subjects and favor of working in the public health center was investigated. Significant differences were found according to the current and favored working area, favored occupation, education level, marital status, and specialty. Working in the public health center was favored by following subjects: working in mid- or small-sized cities (4.16 point, p<0.05); PhD degree-holder (4.59 point, p<0.01). 6. Among general characteristics of the subjects, significant difference of working conditions was found in the following factors: gender; working areas; favored working areas; favored working positions, and education level. Majority of subjects favored working in big cities and currently work in big cities although satisfaction was comparatively low (3.75 score). 7. Future plan to work in public health center was evaluated according to occupational characteristics. Subject's intention to work in the public healthcare center was significantly affected by opening of dental technician position, leading authority, average turnover rate, and factors affecting employment. Working in the public health care center was favored by the following subjects: Dental technicians who actively supported opening of the dental technician position (4.34 point, p<0.001); subjects who thought the Korean dental technologist association is responsible for the opening of positions in the public sector (4.26 point, p<0.001); and subjects who thought that attitude and character are important for the employment (p<0.001). 8. Concerning difference of working conditions according to the occupational characteristics, significant difference was demonstrated by factors such as a reason to choose to be a dental technician, work plan, pursuing position, responsible authority, average employment rate, and job satisfaction. High standard of working conditions was required in subjects who selected to be a dental technician for the leisure time after work (s.05 point, p<0.01), who planted to work until their marriage (4.25 point, p<0.001), and who pursuit to be a manager (3.98, p<0.05). 9. In respect to influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.068 and age affected the working condition with significant difference according to the pvalue. 10. Regarding influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.335 and work plan, opening of dental technician position in the public sector, and responsible authority had significant influence over the subject's intention to work in the public health center according to the p-value. 11. With regard to the influence of general characteristics on the advancement to public health centers, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.091 and reason to choose to be a dental technician, work plan, and responsible authority significantly affected subject's working conditions. Conclusion: Korean society is becoming a super-aged society according to several statistics. As aged population is rapidly increasing, national health insurance plans to cover denture for senior citizen over 75 years old from 2012. Therefore, dental technicians are urgently needed in the public health centers all over the nation. Many subjects in this study planed to work until their retirement and recognized dental technician's expertise. Ministry of health and welfare and Korean dental technologist association should co-operate each other to prepare foundation and institutional devices for dental technicians to advance into the public health center. This will improve oral health of the population. This study showed urgency of medical facilities and services which meets increasing number of aged population and welfare of the population.