Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual profile of dental clinic services used by foreigners who reside in certain regions of Korea. As a result, this study could come to the following conclusion: It was found that most of respondents had never received any dental treatment in Korea, but the largest number of respondents who ever experienced any dental treatment had visited dental clinics in their neighborhood for treatment. Most respondents allowed for public recognition of medical institution among others in terms of criteria about selection of dental care institution. In addition, our respondents not receiving any dental treatment during their residence in Korea primarily because they had 'no sufficient time' to use dental clinics, and secondarily because they had 'a burden of expenses spent in dental care'. Moreover, many respondents were unsatisfied with their use of Korean dental clinics. Based on these findings, it is necessary to further expand dental care services in practical aspect and establish relevant public health policies.
본 연구는 국내 일부 지역에 거주하는 외국인의 치과의료 이용 실태를 분석하여 국내 거주 외국인에 대한 치과의료서비스를 확충하고, 관련 제도의 개선을 위한 기초자료를 제공하고자 수행하였다. 조사 대상자의 대부분이 국내에서의 치과치료 경험이 없었고, 치과치료를 받지 못한 이유는 시간부족과 진료비 부담 때문이었다. 건강보험이 있는 경우 치과치료 경험이 많았으며, 국내 치과의료기관 이용 시 만족도는 전반적으로 불만족하다고 응답하였다. 따라서, 국제화 시대에서 날로 증가하고 있는 외국인들이 국내에 체류하는 동안 기본적인 구강건강을 유지하고 양질의 치과의료서비스를 받을 수 있도록 실질적인 치과의료서비스 확충 및 관련 보건정책의 수립이 필요하다.