• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-58
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the recognition level related to the infection prevention in dental medical institute in dental hygienists and to offer basic data of enhancing the knowledge education in dental hygienists on the infection prevention according to it. As a result of collecting and analyzing data by using the self-administered questionnaire on April 27, 2008 targeting 230 dental hygienists who are working at hospitals and clinics in P,K region, the following conclusions were obtained. 1. Dental hygienists' recognition on hospital-virus treatment method was indicated to be averagely 1.20 out of 3-point perfection. 2. The recognition on infection was indicated to be averagely 2.64 out of 4-point perfection. The statistically significant difference was shown with the appearance of periodical health examination(t=-2.42, p<.05) and by infection-education experience(t=2.28, p<0.05). 3. The recognition on an infection disease was indicated to be averagely 4.38 out of 8-point perfection. The significant difference(t=3.52, p<0.05) was shown depending on task in charge. 4. The recognition on the infection prevention in dental treatment institute was indicated to be averagely 4.89 out of 7-point perfection. The recognition on the infection prevention of dental treatment institute in dental hygienists, who work for general hospital, was indicated to be the highest. Accordingly, it was considered to be required an effort for dental hygienists, other dental-medical practitioners, and patients to be able to treated safely by enhancing the recognition level on infection prevention in dental hygienists and by maximally reducing exposure to infection in dental medical institute.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.330-342
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• 2023

Background: As the medical knowledge base grows at an accelerating rate, evidence-based clinical performance becomes increasingly important for providing quality care. Previous studies have highlighted the need to promote job crafting to actualize evidence-based practical skills in the medical field. This study aimed to investigate the degree of evidence-based practice among dental hygienists and assess the impact of job crafting on the evidence-based practical skills of dental hygienists. Methods: Dental hygienists working at dental hospitals and clinics in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province were surveyed between February 28 and April 6, 2023. The sample was comprised of 267 participants. The hypotheses were tested independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analyses using SPSS 29.0. Results: The degree of job crafting by dental hygienists demonstrated significant differences based on educational attainment, workplace size, and workplace type. Evidence-based practical skills exhibited significant variations based on educational attainment and job position. All job crafting subfactors demonstrated positive correlations with evidence-based practical skills. The job crafting subfactors affecting the evidence-based practical skills of dental hygienists were 'increasing structural job resources' and 'increasing challenging job demands,' which together explained 38.7% of the variance in evidence-based practical skills. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that job crafting was positively and significantly correlated with evidence-based practical skills. To strengthen the job crafting ability of dental hygienists, improving environmental conditions and fostering an organizational culture that motivates continued participation in education is necessary. The development and promotion of programs that enable learning of the latest evidence should be actively pursued. Additionally, regular attendance at workshops and participation in organizational evidence-based practice education programs are necessary.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.1235-1243
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• 2012

This study was attempted in order to offer basic data for performing systematic and desirable task through improving job by surveying the actual condition and the task weight in dental hygienists. As a result of analyzing daily task weight in subjects of this study, the ratio of medical-cure cooperation task was indicated to be highest with 35.45%. It was indicated to be in order of periodontal therapy service with 21.54%, of administration & management task with 16.08%, of oral health education task with 15.88%, and of preventive treatment service with 11.23%. As for kind-based utilization ratio of the oral health education contents and oral health education data, a toothbrushing education method by subject was indicated most highly with 3.70 points. It was indicated to be in order of usage on oral hygiene device with 3.51 points, of educational method on regular check-up with 3.26 points, of educational method of preventing dental disease with 3.13 points, and of educational method on diet control with 1.39 points. Jaw-plate model was indicated to be used the most with 38.0%. It was indicated to be in order of orally explaining with 23.9% and of camera inside the mouth with 12.2%. Thus, establishment of a system is considered to be necessary in order to promote quality of oral health education for patients in the future by performing diverse programs with high utilization value in addition to a steady interest.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to identify the present level and needs of clinical dental hygienists and to present the Borich needs assessment and the locus for focus model as integrated priorities. Methods: The participants of this study were dental hygienists working in dental clinics (hospitals). The final data of the 194 participants were analyzed using frequency analysis and a paired sample t-test. To analyze the need for clinical dental hygienists to perform work, the Borich priority determination formula was used. The x-y plane consisting of four quadrants was used to analyze the need using the locus for focus model, which helps to determine the priority while showing visual effects. Results: "Scaling" was the highest required level for clinical dental hygienists, and "panorama taking" was the highest present level. The priorities of educational needs were systematically and visually derived from dental hygienists who were currently working through the Borich needs assessment and the locus for focus model for each task performed in the clinical field. Through the priorities of these two models, a total of 13 items appeared in the common high-level area; "oral health care (disability)," "oral health care (systemic disease)," "applying a rubber dam," "professional mechanical tooth cleaning," "root planing," "taking vital signs," "medication counseling," "wire cutting," "removing cement after removing band/bracket," "delivering bracket," "preparing mini-screw implantation," "dental insurance claim," and "patient reception." Conclusion: Based on the results, the department of dental hygiene should maintain and improve the standardized clinical practice curriculum and clinical dental hygienists' practical skills and contribute to the realization of the legal scope of dental hygienists, reflecting the requirements of clinical fields.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 2023

Background: Digital panoramic dental X-ray equipment (PDX) is frequently used by patients and dental workers for diagnosis and examination in dental institutions; however, infection control has not been properly implemented. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to systematically review the potential risk of cross-infection in the dental environment by investigating the contamination level of general aerobic bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus, which are important in hospital infections, in PDX areas that people mainly contact. Methods: This survey was conducted from March to May 2023 and covered one general hospital, three dental hospitals, and nine dental clinics equipped with PDX. Bacteria samples were collected from the left-handle, right-handle, forehead support, and head side support as the patient's contact areas, as well as the X-ray exposure switch and left-click mouse button as the dental hygienist's contact areas of the PDX. The collected bacteria were spread on Petrifilm, and colonies formed after 48 hours of culture were counted. Results: General aerobic bacteria and S. aureus were detected in all areas investigated. Significant differences in bacterial counts between different regions of the PDX were observed in both groups (p<0.001). The detection rates of general aerobic bacteria (p<0.001) and S. aureus (p<0.001) were significantly higher in the contact areas of patients than those of dental hygienists. A positive correlation was observed between the forehead and the temple region in terms of general aerobic bacteria and S. aureus detection (r=1) (p<0.01). Conclusion: Taken together, the presence of many bacteria, including S. aureus, detected in PDX indicates that PDX has a potential cross-infection risk. Our results therefore highlight the need for the development of appropriate disinfection protocols for reusable medical devices such as PDX and periodic infection prevention training for hospital-related workers, including dental hygienists.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.395-408
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was performed in order to provide evidence-based data for the expected professional impact of dental hygienists, and to apply and disclose the comprehensive dental hygiene care process through an in-depth analysis of their scaling experience and investigation of the importance of an evidence-based scaling work performance. Methods: The data were collected from June 3, 2019 to October 3, 2019 by conducting in-depth individual interviews on 10 dental hygienists who are working in dental clinics and hospitals by region. The data were analyzed by using the grounded theory methodology, which is a field of qualitative research method. Results: Study results showed that the core category derived from the paradigm model and change process in this study was 'a process of becoming a mature professional outside practical work'. Conclusions: In this study, the participants were able to gain a sense of occupational accomplishment as dental hygienists by performing scaling based on the comprehensive dental hygiene care (CDHC) process, and to advance into professionals through continuous efforts and research in order to enhance their job competencies.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.159-170
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate factors for retention intention among long-term employed dental hygienists and to provide basic data for improving the long-term service (working) environment. Methods: A total of 202 dental hygienists with more than five years' work experience at dental hospitals and clinics located in Seoul, Gwangju, and Jeonnam Province, South Korea, were surveyed. The data were analyzed for each factor using exploratory factor analysis, and differences according to the general characteristics of the participants were analyzed using an independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and a hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results: At the current workplace, a better working environment, and higher job satisfaction were associated with higher retention intention. However, lower professionalism in dental hygiene as a subdomain of the professional self-concept domain was associated with higher retention intention. Conclusions: To increase retention intention among dental hygienists, it is necessary to improve the working environment in which dental hygienists can perform professional roles and seek ways to establish their identity as professionals in dental healthcare settings.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.455-465
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate dental hygienists' knowledge of smoking, attitudes toward tobacco cessation, and tobacco cessation education activities, which will serve as fundamental data for developing an effective tobacco cessation education program for dental hygienists. Methods: From 2020-08-17 to 2020-09-05, 184 dental hygienists working at dental clinics and hospitals in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do were surveyed. We performed t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple regression analyses. Results: Dental hygienists' smoking-related knowledge, expert attitudes toward tobacco cessation, and tobacco cessation education activities were all high in tobacco cessation education (p<0.05). According to the analysis of the dental hygienists' knowledge of smoking, attitude toward smoking, and correlation of tobacco cessation education activities, there was a significant amount of correlation (p<0.01). According to the analysis of factors affecting dental hygienists' tobacco cessation education activities, expert attitudes towards tobacco cessation (𝛽=0.434, p<0.001), tobacco cessation materials (𝛽=0.160, p=0.009), experience in tobacco cessation education while attending school (𝛽=0.152, p=0.010), and attitudes toward tobacco cessation (p<0.05) were statistically significant. Conclusions: The results of this study are utilized as fundamental data to develop an effective tobacco cessation education program, factoring in dental hygienists' attitudes toward tobacco cessation.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.217-224
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to establish the basic data for the performance of patient-centered care, perception of core competencies, and self-development of dental hygienists by verifying the effects of information literacy on the communication ability of dental hygienists, and the mediating effects of job crafting. Methods: Collected and analyzed data by conducting a survey targeting total 222 dental hygienists working for dental hospitals/clinics located in Seoul and Gyeonggi region. Verify the mediating effects of job crafting on the effects of information literacy on the communication ability, this study conducted the correlation analysis and simple regression analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results: In the effects of information literacy on the communication ability of dental hygienists, the cognitive crafting of job crafting (β=0.209, p<0.001) and relational crafting of job crafting (β=0.318, p<0.001) showed the partially mediating effects. Conclusions: In order to increase the educational accessibility for dental hygienists to perceive the importance of information literacy and communication ability, to improve the expertise as healthcare personnel who perform the patient-centered care by developing it, and also to develop the information literacy and job crafting, it would be necessary to develop various educational programs and contents.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.983-992
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• 2019

Objectives: This study is a descriptive analysis to identify factors that affect dental hygienists' flexibility by investigating the correlation between dental hygienists' interpersonal relationships, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and resilience. Methods: Data were collected from October 8 to 22, 2018 using a structured questionnaire that was administered to 132 dental hygienists working in dental clinics and dental hospitals in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS 24.0 program. Results: First, the interpersonal relationships, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and resilience of dental hygienists were all found above average. Second, the resilience of dental hygienists showed a significant positive correlation with interpersonal relationships (r=0.719, p<0.001), job satisfaction (r=0.328, p<0.001), and organizational commitment (r=0.519, p<0.001). Third, interpersonal relationships (t=9.87, p<0.001) and organizational commitment (t=3.30, p<0.01) were significant factors affecting the resilience of dental hygienists. Conclusions: In order to improve the resilience of dental hygienists, it is necessary to explore various ways to enhance their interpersonal relationships and organizational commitment. Furthermore, this study intends to provide basic data that are necessary for establishing a human resources management strategy for dental institutions to create a desirable organizational culture.