• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.175-187
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the opinions of Korean dental hygienists on the Korean advanced dental hygienist system in Korea. Methods: The survey was conducted on 328 dental hygienists working at dental clinics and hospitals in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Incheon, and Chungcheong-do. Collected data were analyzed with the frequency analysis, independent-samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance after their reliability and validity were verified through the reliability, exploratory factor, and confirmatory factor analyses. Results: Respondents preferred sectoral advanced dental hygienists to integrated advanced dental hygienists, but 47.0% of respondents did not respond to this questionnaire item. To become an advanced dental hygienist, 'more than 5 years but less than 8 years' of clinical experience was appropriate according to 45.7% of the respondents and 'more than 30 h but less than 40 h' of training period was appropriate according to 25.9% of the respondents. Respondents thought that the duration of the training period for advanced dental hygienists would be directly proportional to expectations from the effect of advanced dental hygienists (p=0.023). Further, respondents who were usually interested in advanced dental hygienists showed higher expectations from the role (p<0.001) and effect (p<0.001) of advanced dental hygienists than those who were not interested. Conclusions: This study suggests various implications of the introduction of the advanced dental hygienist system in Korea.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.519-527
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the awareness of students majoring in dental hygiene regarding the advanced dental hygiene system for the elderly and people with disabilities. Methods: From September 25 to October 20, 2023, an online survey was conducted with junior and senior students in 27 universities, including eight in the Seoul area, seven in the Chungcheong area, eight in the Yeongnam area, and four in the Honam area. Data analysis methods included frequency analysis, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA. Results: After graduation, 72.9% of students were willing to work as advanced dental hygienists for the elderly and people with disabilities, and had greater recognition of the system (p=0.042), role (p<0.001), and expected effect (p=0.027) of an advanced dental hygienist than students who were not willing to work in this capacity. Conclusions: It is necessary to introduce a system that recognizes advanced dental hygienists for their expertise in oral hygiene management for the elderly and people with disabilities.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.413-425
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to provide basic data to lay the groundwork for the introduction of an advanced dental hygienist system by sampling dental hygienists' views about the system. Methods: A nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted targeting 857 dental hygienists working at dental hospitals and clinics, local health institutions, and educational institutions. The collected data were analyzed using frequency analysis, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (Duncan as post-analysis), and crossover analysis. Results: The average interest level in the advanced dental hygienist system was 3.83±0.95 points. The necessity by field was confirmed to be the highest during dental hygiene for the elderly and persons with disabilities. The working experience necessary for becoming a specialized dental hygienist is 5.56±2.99 (years). The education period necessary for becoming a specialized dental hygienist is 77.30±77.61 (hours). The work authority level for an advanced dental hygienist was indicated to be 50 respondents (5.8%), who said they required direct guidance from a dentist, 313 respondents (48.2%) who said they needed indirect guidance from a dentist, 200 respondents (23.3%) who said OK when given an advanced dental hygienist's separate judgment, 194 respondents (22.6%), who said that the authority must be varied depending on the work. Conclusions: The interest and need of the advanced dental hygienist system were proven to be high and are expected to be applied to basic data for the introduction and settlement of the system.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.301-316
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• 2007

With these changes in the environment of dental service, dental hygienists are suggested to change their roles to cope with the changes. Hygienists are putting forth many efforts to promote smooth and efficient dental treatments, and as a practical measure. As a part to cope with such changes. Korea Dental Hygienists Association(KDHA) has prepared the system of Specialized Dental Hygienist and put the system into enforcement through an affiliated organization, Korean Academy of Dental Hygiene. The purpose of this study is to investigate the specialized nurse system in our country's medical environment and the specialized dental hygienist systems in other countries as similar cases comparable to the specialized dental hygienist system in our country and present basic data for the establishment of specialized dental hygienist system. For this study, a survey of dental specialists, such as dentists, dental hygienists and nurses, and patients, has been conducted qualitatively through person-to-person depth interview. The interview questions were related to the need for a specialized dental hygienist system, educational programs, functions and roles, and issues that must be solved for establishment of the system. Based on the interview results, the following conclusions were derived. The specialized dental hygienist system must encourage dental hygienists to possess advanced abilities in clinical practices, present systematic and developmental directions in educational programs, and stimulate specialized dental hygienists to actively work as manager and supervisor, medical health service providers, educators, and researchers. Lastly, for issues that must be solved for the establishment of the system, the duties and jobs of specialized dental hygienists must be defined more concretely, which must be acknowledged by people working in related occupations, citizens and the government. Furthermore, we need to examine the scope of duties of dental hygienists and enact laws and systems to protect the scope. These roles will lead dental hygienists to lay the foundation that allow them to make enthusiastic activities as an oral hygienist and clinician as well as show the way how to act as an educator, a researcher, a manager and an administrator.