• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.469-476
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• 2019

The purpose of this study examines the education, knowledge and behavior of radiation safety management among dental workers and compares the education, knowledge and behavior between dental hygienist group and other occupational groups. This study was conducted from November 2nd to November14th, 2019. The survey was conducted on dental workers(dental hygienists, nursing, assistants, coordinators, etc.) who worked in dental hospitals and clinics in Busan area. The tool of this study was modified and adapted to the clinical setting based on the questionnaire. Radiation safety education has 39 dental hygienists who had more education than non-dental hygienists (p=0.286). The most common types of radiation safety education were self-education which usually performed by dentistry, followed by conservative education and others. The average of radiation attitudes, knowledge and behaviors was higher in the dental hygienist group then in the non-dental hygienist group. On the item-specific behavior among employees, the question of 'the radiation should be shielded according to the menstrual cycle or pregnancy of the woman of childbearing' was significant (p<0.05). On the item-specific knowledge between occupations, the question of 'the intensity of X-rays decreases over distance' and 'the individual exposure can be measured by TLD badge or film badge' was significant (p<0.05). Taken together, these results indicate that the dental hygienist group is more concerned about radiation safety and that the dental hygienist group is receiving more radiation safety management training. However, if there is a low level of 'has experienced' in the presence or absence of safety management education, it is difficult to train radiation safety management in dentistry. Therefore, it is considered that dentists should be trained in radiation safety management periodically to pay attention to radiation safety accidents.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.307-314
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• 2008

Objectives : We conducted an epidemiologic survey to evaluate the effect of the aircraft noise exposure on the health of the residents near the military airbases in Pyeongtaek City. Methods : The evaluation of environmental noise level, questionnaire survey, and health examination were performed for 917 residents. The study population consisted of four groups: subjects who lived in the village close to the fighter airbase (high exposure), subjects who lived along the course of fighters (intermediate exposure), and subjects near a helicopter airbase, and the control group. Results : The prevalence of the aircraft noise related accident and irritable bowel syndrome in the exposure groups were higher than that of the control group. The risks of noise induced hearing loss, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were higher in the exposed groups than in the control group. The prevalence of anxiety disorder and primary insomnia were higher in the exposed groups than in the control group. Prevalence odd ratios of the risk for primary insomnia after adjusting age, sex, agricultural noise, and occupation were 4.03 [95% confidence interval (95% Cl) 1.56-10.47] for the subject near the helicopter airbase, 1.23 (95% Cl 0.40-3.76) for those intermediately exposed to fighter noise, and 4.99 (95% Cl 2.14-11.64) for those highly exposed to fighter noise. Conclusions : The results of the present study suggest that the aircraft noise may have adverse effects on hearing function, cardiovascular health and mental health. Therefore, it seems to be needed to take proper measures including the control of the aircraft noise and the management of the exposed people's health.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.202-213
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the cephalometric measurements of obese and non-obese Korean male patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). Methods: Eighty-seven adults who had visited the Sleep Disorder Clinic Center in Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea were examined and evaluated with polysomnography (PSG) and lateral cephalogram. They were divided into 4 groups (non-obese simple snorers, obese simple snorers, non-obese OSA patients, obese OSA patients) according to AHI (Apnea-Hypopnea Index) and BMI (Body Mass Index). Results: The obese OSA group had the highest AHI among the 4 groups. The non-obese OSA group had a significantly steeper mandibular angle and shorter tongue length than the obese OSA group. The hyoid bone of the obese OSA group was positioned anterior and inferior as compared with the non-obese OSA group. Multiple regression analysis showed that tongue length in the obese OSA group and retroposition of hyoid bone in the non-obese OSA group were significant determinants for the severity of AHI. Conclusions: From a cephalometric point of view, the obese and non-obese pateints with OSA may be characterized by different pathogeneses. Therefore, they have to be managed by individualized treatment. For the obese OSA patients, weight control must be advised as a first choice and for the non-obese OSA patients, oral appliance, nasal CPAP, UPPP and others could be chosen according to the obstructive sites.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.67-85
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• 2009

This study aims to provide the research for dental technician's stress prevention and management with basic materials by understanding dental technician's psychosocial stress level and examining relevant factors. The subject of this study is 255 dental technologists who work mainly in Seoul Gyeonggi district for a month of April of 2009 and I conducted cross-sectional study through self administered survey. The contents of survey include general feature, occupational feature, health behavior feature. I used Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire, JCQ and Psychosocial well-being index, PWI-SF as means of measurement. To compare the level of dental technician's psychosocial stress, I conducted t-test and ANOVA and I measured the factors that are related with psychosocial stress symptom with step by step multiple regressive analysis. According to the result of Cronbach's a value which is yielded to verify the reliability of means of measurement, the reliability of concept is sufficient. The detailed result of this study is as follows. 1. According to the result of analyzing the stress symptom in accordance with general feature and occupational feature, those dental technologists who are older and not married, graduate from junior college, have lower position, work at university hospital or general hospital show lower stress(p<0.05). There is no difference in the level of psychosocial stress with regard to duty related feature, period of service, daily average working hours, monthly average pay. 2. With regard to health behavior feature, those dental technologists who control weight better and have meal more regularly show lower stress(p<0.05). Those dental technicians who smoke, drink liquid and take a suitable sleep show low stress but the difference does not have significance statistically. 3. With regard to the factors of stress in the workplace, those dental technicians who have lower duty related requirement, have higher duty related control ability, have higher social support, have less instability of employment and have less workload and physical burden show lower stress(p<0.05). 4. According to the result of analyzing the factors that influence dental technologist's stress symptom, social support has the most enormous influence on stress symptom. Unstable employment, regular exercise, regular eating, daily average sleeping hours and technological capacity are also important in this order. According to the result of this study, those dental technicians who have higher social support, less instability of employment, do exercise more regularly, take enough sleep more soundly and have higher technological capacity show lower psychosocial stress symptom. Therefore, to adjust appropriately the dental technician's stress and properly maintain and improve the dental technician's mental health, effective management plan that enables dental technicians to maintain smooth human relationships for dental technicians should be sought. In addition, heath education and health management for dental technicians should be given more thoroughly so that they can establish desirable health behavior in daily life.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.29 no.4 s.75
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• pp.491-501
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• 1999

Precise and accurate measuring of tooth size is essential procedure in orthodontic diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility and accuracy of tooth size measurements with regard to tooth and investigator. Five investigators measured the size of one side of teeth, from central incisor to first molar, on 20 sets of casts that show a moderate degree of crowding. Mesio-distal width was measured with digital vernier calipers in each tooth and this procedure was repeated three times at two weeks interval. To obtain a standard measurement for each tooth, dental casts were cut into individual tooth, and its width was measured with micrometer. The difference between the measurement from dental cast and the standard measurement was defined as the measurement error. Through various statistical analyses, following results were obtained. 1. The reproducibility did not show significant differences with regard to tooth or investigator. 2. The measurement error showed some difference with regard to tooth and investigator. 3. The magnitude of the measurement error showed increasing tendency from anterior to posterior teeth with maximum value in the first molar. 4. While the measurements obtained on study casts generally showed smaller number compared to standard measurements, the direction of the difference showed variability according to tooth or investigator. 5. The measurement errors did not show significant correlations with the degree of crowding. The results of the present study indicate that the possibility of tooth size measurement error should be taken into consideration when diagnosing an orthodontic case.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.159-170
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• 2011

Purpose: This study were to analyze satisfaction with job ability development training among Dental Technicians', examine the degree of their actual satisfaction with training courses and their status, and provide some basic data to help improve the quality level, satisfaction, and effective operation of job ability development training in the future. Methods: This study carried out self-administered questionnaire survey from January 15, 2011 to March 10 by having research subjects as 180 dental technicians who participated in the course of employees' Job Ability Development Training by 'Gil Occupational Training Institute,' which is being conducted as part of dental technicians' job ability development in Seoul region. Among these things, 160(88.8%) copies were collected. Except 19 copies with incomplete response, 141(78.3%) copies were used as the materials of final analysis. Results: First of all, as a result of grasping the whole satisfaction with training according to general characteristics, the significant difference was indicated in the whole satisfaction with training depending on gender & age, and voluntary participatory intention. Second, the satisfaction with contents of Job Ability Development Training was in order of helpful level in ability development with 4.10(${\pm}.70$), co-worker's recommendation and a plan for reparticipation with 4.08(${\pm}.77$), consistence with the content goal with 4.07(${\pm}.71$), and reflection of demand with 4.01(${\pm}.70$). Third, examining satisfaction with instructors of Job Ability Development Training, it is being indicated with a little higher score compared to the satisfaction with other items. Fourth, satisfaction with service of supporting learners in job ability development training was shown to be slightly low in all the items. Especially, the convenience of administrative procedure was indicated to be the lowest with 3.52(${\pm}.92$) Fifth, satisfaction with the facility of job ability development training was showing very low satisfaction compared to other satisfaction items. Conclusion: A continuous effort will be needed in order to be possibly strengthened dental laboratory technicians' professionalism and reinforced qualitative level in major ability through offering more educational opportunities and education in good quality.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.113-128
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to serve as a basis for the development of dental technology and for creating a condition that dental technicians could work with pride and right values, by examining what problems there were in their health care, what they thought about them, and how the problems could be solved, The findings of this study were as below: 1. The most serious and harmful element in dental technology workshop was a dust(57.5%) and a noise(33.3%). 2. Approximately 99.0% of the dental technicians investigated made a complain of air pollution caused by noise. Their opinion on a possible measure to remove noise air pollution was that the noise-generating machine should be replaced(64.1%) or that it should be isolated(28.8%). 3. 76.0% complained air pollution cause by dust deteriorates their working efficiency. As a way to eliminate it, they suggested a dust chamber(35.3%) or an air cleaner(27.5%) should be installde. 4. About 80% made a complain of gas air pollution. The most common related symptom was a headache(56.9%). They thought that gas-generating machine should be isolated(39.9%) or that an air purifier should be prepared(33.3%). 5. The largest impact of heat and light on their body was weakening their eyesight(56.9%). 47.1% got burn once though four times, and 34.3% did five times or more. The way to prevent them was to install an automatic casting machine(66.0%) or use protective glasses(28.1%). 6. Approximately 47.7% were considering a change of occupation, and the most common reason was heavy work(23.5%), followed by poor prospect(21.6%) and working environment(19.0%) in the order named. 7. 88.9% responded they were likely to have an occupational disease. Their idea about the proper frequency of regular health examination was once a year(53.6%), or once per every six months(41.8%). 8. The field they were most interested in was health care(39.2%), followed by academic research activities(31.4%). This fact indicated it's most urgently required to improve their working environment.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.221-232
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• 2010

Purpose: It is necessary for dental technicians exposed to hazardous chemicals in the dental laboratories to be informed of the various harmful effects of chemicals for their health and safety. The purposes of this study was to investigate the actual condition of the use of MSDS in dental laboratories and the recognition rate of MSDS for dental technicians. Methods: 231 dental technicians who were self-written questionnaire. The results were analyzed by SPSS 12.0. The answers to the questionnaire underwent frequency analysis, chi-square test and correlation analysis were performed to investigate association between health effects and recognition rate of chemical information. Results: The results from the effects of damage caused by chemicals 60.7%, and when it was less than 2 years working experience 47.6%. Currently any dental laboratories(rooms) was not furnished MSDS(0%) and even similar data furnishing rate was only 17.3%. Answer rate of 'Do not know about MSDS' was 73.6%. In addition to, education in the types and characteristics of chemicals(74.5%) does not receive all the higher education. For the question of 'To prevent human risks and accidents, is to provide chemical information needed', the answer rate of 'needed' was 87.2%. Moreover, the answer rate of 'To provide chemical information that could prevent accidents' was 76.6%. Therefore it was found that dental technicians need to be provided for chemical information. In addition, they wanted to get education related to chemicals used in the workplace(80.5%), and 90.9% was answered that they was willing to keep MSDS in they workplace. Conclusion: This study investigated the current dental laboratories(rooms) and the MSDS for the awareness and recognition of workers was very low, education was not being conducted properly. The dental laboratories(rooms) of the compact characteristics of the MSDS was not reasonably accessible and the furnishing location, dental laboratories(rooms) for the real item was needed for improvement. MSDS for dental technicians through education and promotion of information about chemicals and chemicals was to prevent health problems caused by the MSDS that will raise awareness of the necessity.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.403-412
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• 2012

Purpose: This study is conducted to evaluate the job stressors for dental technicians in Ulsan city. Methods: The Korean standard job stressors assessment tool developed by Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) was used to compare the survey result with Korean reference value. The questionnaire on the social, demographic and job characteristics of dental technicians was also used to find the factors affecting to job stressors by using multiple linear regression analysis. Results: A total of 155 questionnaire was collected from 2010 to 2011. Among the eight fields of stressors, the physical environment (men 50.0, women; 58.3) and job demands (men 57.1, women 57.1) were higher than the median value of the Korean Workers. By multiple linear regression analysis, the significant factors to the physical environment were the satisfaction degree of indoor odor, number of employee, duty and working hours. In terms of the job demand, duty, working hours, age, and the satisfaction to the efficiency of space utilization were significantly associated to the score of job demand. Conclusion: Based on these results, it is necessary to manage appropriate workload, control indoor odor and design an efficient work space for prevention of job stress of dental technicians.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.453-466
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• 2011

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the general characteristics of dental technicians and their health behaviors and to analyze the related factors of their work stress and physical symptoms. Methods: The survey used structured self administered questionnaires for a survey targeting 741 members registered of the Dental Technician Association in Daegu Metropolitan City from September to October, 2009. Total of 518 replies and analyzed 490 questionnaire excluding 28 incomplete questionnaires. Results: The work stresses were higher in those who answered that they were under 30-years old, unmarried, lower in rank, or had longer work hours, lower monthly incomes or poor self-perceived health status. In addition, those who worked in a dental laboratory with poor work environment including insufficient ventilation, sand blaster with no powder collecting functions, etc., tended to experience higher work stress than others due to their work conditions. The total average of the respondents of the survey who answered that they suffered from some physical symptoms was 14.7 points. It was found that the factors affecting the score of physical symptoms include occupational features such as work hours, monthly income, etc., and physical work environment such as the presence or absence of ventilator, of dust-collectors within sand blaster, etc., and work stress, exerted significant influence. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study indicates that to lessen work stress and to ultimately alleviate physical symptoms, it is necessary to do the following: improve work environment of young unmarried women; adjust their daily working hours; ameliorate physical work environment. To improve overall physical symptoms, it is importance to establish a safe and healthy working environment.