• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.693-700
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the number of remaining natural teeth in elderly people visiting dental care services and the factors affecting dental visit. This study will contribute the development of oral health promotion programs for the elderly people. Methods : Subjects were 172 elderly people recruited from 217 senior citizens visiting public oral health care services in 16 districts in Busan. They completed self-Corresponding Author reported questionnaires. Results : Elderly people had less remaining natural teeth (p<0.001). The remaining natural teeth ($15.07{\pm}8.75$) of the health insurance beneficiary were majority than those of the medicaid ($8.78{\pm}8.45$)(p<0.001). The respondents with better oral health condition had more remaining natural teeth (r=0.317, p<0.001), and those who were more worried about oral health had less remaining natural teeth (r=-0.599, p<0.001). Aging accelerates loss of natural teeth (p<0.001) of 3.203. Approximately 2.188 remaining teeth will be preserved by oral health care improvement (p=0.009). Conclusions : Frequent dental clinic visit will prevent natural teeth loss in the elderly people. Toothbrushing is the most efficient method of oral health care in the elderly people. Awareness towards oral health care is the motivation to preserve natural teeth in the elderly people.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.195-206
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide the basic data that can help the development and quality management of effective continuing education programs by analyzing the status and demand of continuing education contents for dental hygienists. Methods: The questionnaire had 30 questions, which included 5 questions on general characteristics, 4 on continuing education status, 3 on online continuing education, and 18 on desired continuing education. The survey was conducted for the members attending continuing education programs in 2018. Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.08 years, with an average career of 8.19 years. The continuing education was highly recognized, through the homepage of the association (52.5%); as speakers for continuing education, dental hygienists in the field of specialization were preferred (45.8%). Additionally, the preferred frequency of programs was twice a year (45.7%). For promoting continuing education, the use of mobile phone letter was preferred (65.8%). Moreover, 92.9% of respondents were aware of online continuing education, 49.9% had experience in online continuing education, and 59.9% said that they will actively use smart devices in the future. The requirement for the contents of continuing education was the highest at 4.34 points for health insurance cost and the lowest at 2.75 points for liberal arts classes. Conclusions: To provide effective continuing education, it is necessary to develop a customized continuing education program considering various variables, such as career, work place, and career break experience, thus reflecting the systematic requirement of surveys according to each characteristic.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.414-421
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• 2004

This is a reprospective study on the care of odontogenic infections in admission patients with geriatric diseases. The study was based on a series of 480 patients at Dong San Medical Center, Wonju Christian Hospital and Il San Health Insurance Hospital, From Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31, 2002. The Obtained results were as follows: 1. The systemic malignant tumor was the most frequent cause of the geriatric diseases with odontogenic infectious diseases, and refractory lung disease, systemic heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular disease, bone & joint disease, senile psychologic disease were next in order of frequency. 2. Male prediction(57.5%) was existed in the odontogenic infectious patients with geriatric diseases. But, there were female prediction in senile psychologic disease, systemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. 3. The most common age group of the odontogenic infectious patient with geriatric disease was the sixty decade(47.9%), followed by the seventy & eighty decade in order. 4. In the contents of chief complaints on the odontogenic infectious patients with geriatric disease, peak incidence was occurred as toothache(52.7%), followed by extraction wish, tooth mobility, oral bleeding, oral ulcer, fracture of restoration, gingival swelling in order. 5. In the diagnosis group of odontogenic infectious diseases, periodontitis, pulpitis & periapical abscess were more common. 6. In the treatment group of odontogenic infectious diseases, the most frequent incidence(34.2%) was showed in primary endodontic treatment (pulp extirpation, occlusal reduction and canal opening drainage) and followed by scaling, incision & drainage, only drugs, pulp capping, restoration in order.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2016

The Ministry of Health and Welfare in Korea has enforced the oral health promotion program for elderly in Korea. There are the denture delivery program and the fluoride application-scaling program for elderly. Donggu Public Health Center in Daejeon has delivered the fluoride application-scaling program for elderly since the demonstration project in 2009. The official dental hygienists had a prior consultation with Dong-gu branch of Korean Senior Citizens Association in Daejeon. We expanded the program through government office, welfare centers, and nursing homes. The participants were satisfied with the public relations (95.2%), scaling (99.7%), fluoride application (91.5%), toothbrushing education (98.6%), and denture cleaning education (96.6%). After a medial accident with persistent bleeding, the pre-inspection survey about systemic disease and medication was reinforced. The official dental hygienists have agonized over the low participation of the low-income group and the overlap benefit with health insurance benefit of scaling. We suggested it be needed the assessment of the public oral health program to overlap with health insurance benefit.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.343-348
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• 2011

Introduction: Third molar extraction is one of the most common procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The impacted third molar causes many pathological conditions, such as pericoronitis, caries, periodontitis, resorption of adjacent teeth, and cyst or tumors associated with impacted teeth. Extraction is often considered the treatment of choice for impacted lower third molars. On the other hand, imprudent extraction of deeply impacted third molars can cause permanent complications, such as inferior alveolar nerve damage. Therefore, guidelines for the extraction of lower third molars should be set to prevent embarrassing complications. This study examined the indication and current trends of the extracted lower third molars in the dental hospital of a dental college. Materials and Methods: 557 extracted third molars were evaluated at the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery of Yonsei University. The chief complaint, diagnosis, age and degree of impaction were analyzed to determine the tendency for the extraction of asymptomatic lower third molars. Results: The percentage of asymptomatic third molars was 40.8%. In cases of full impacted tooth or full erupted tooth, the percentage of asymptomatic teeth was more than 50% (52.4% and 54.3, respectively). Among those partially impacted teeth, 73.1% of them showed symptoms, such as pain, tenderness and swelling. In terms of age, pericoronitis was evident at a younger age, and dental caries/periodontitis was the main cause of removal in those aged over 50. Twenty nine cases (1.6%) had teeth associated with pathological changes Conclusion: The incidence of pathological changes to the lower third molar was relatively low. Surgical extraction is recommended in cases of partially impacted teeth. In Korea, the incidence of asymptomatic third molar extraction was relatively higher than in European countries. More careful attention would be desirable to consider the risks and benefits of lower third molar extraction.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.54 no.12
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• pp.971-984
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• 2016

The increase rate of dentists' competition is very fast at metropolitan areas in South Korea. We compare metropolitan and rural parameters to investigate the relation between competition and revenue variation. The competition and revenue variables of 73 metropolitan and 75 rural areas were calculated from 2010 Census of Service Industry microdata which include non-insurance revenues of dental clinics. Independent sample t-test results showed that the level of competition among dental clinics in metropolitan areas is higher. The lowest and the low ranked revenues are higher in rural areas. The highest and the average revenues are higher in metropolitan areas. But, 25 percentile and median revenues has no significant difference between two areas. Simple log linear regression results showed that the number of clinics could explain the distribution of revenues in both areas better than the density of active dentists and Herfindahl-Hirschman index. In the areas with many clinics have high maximum and average revenues and low minimum revenues. The increasing rate of maximum revenues is higher in metropolitan areas though the decreasing rate of minimum revenues is higher in rural areas. Metropolitan areas have higher Gini coefficients than rural areas, but the increasing rate of Gini coefficients is lower than rural areas. Findings from this study are useful reference when the dentists select the opening areas. One is that the median revenues between metropolitan and rural areas have no significant difference. The other is that the rural areas ensure the more stable and uniform revenues. The results would help to relieve the consumptive competition among dentists and to achieve the distributional efficiency of dental human resources.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2001

This study is based on the survey conducted on handicaps in randomly chosen 6 welfare facilities and medical institutions located in Seoul and Kyonggi-do. This survey has been conducted from September 20 and October 23, 1999. The results of this study are as follows: (1) 49.7% of individuals have answered that their dental health are not well maintained. (2) The number of brushing activity per day varied according to different physical and mental condition of each individual. (p<0.05) (3) 56.7% of people have answered that they have no experience with scaling. (4) 58.9% of people have answered that they have experienced toothache and gum bleeding problem. (5) 64.4% of individual have answered that they would like to attend seminars on maintaining dental health. (p<0.05) (6) 65.1% of individual infrequently visit to dental facilities. (7) 41.6% of individual possess health care card. (8) 61.8% have answered that disabilities and dental health are closely related. (p<0.05)

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.240-251
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• 2015

Background: Dentist's income is quite variable. We investigate the factors underlying the distribution of dental revenue and dentist income. Methods: Financial and structural variables of private dental practices(N=13,967) were examined with 2010 Economic Census microdata which include non-insurance revenue. We conducted quantile regression method(QRM) and ordinary least square(OLS) in treating skewness and heteroskedasticity of distributions. The effective estimation for the upper and lower range of distribution becomes possible by QRM. Results: Mid-career dentists are shown to have higher revenue and income. Male dentists achieve the higher revenue and income than female dentists in all quantiles. Group practices show lower income per owner than solo practices significantly. The revenue and income are increased with increasing size of clinics. The high cost in renting the clinic office is found to have a big positive effect on the revenue but a little positive effect on the income. Interestingly the density of dentists shows negative effect on the lowest quantile of the revenue but positive effect on the highest quantile. The lowest quantile of the revenue in the capital areas have the relatively high revenue. The lowest quantile of the income in metropolitan city show higher income than those in other areas significantly. Conclusion: The suggested QRM is shown to have more effective and efficient tool in finding out determinants of dentists' revenue and income of our concern. The results of this study are expected to be employed for dentists preparing for the opening practices in their organizational settings and locational selections. The distributional efficiency of dental human resources could be accomplished if policy makers guide dentists with this knowledge.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.267-274
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• 2021

Background: Although the orofacial-function improvement exercise (OFIE; oral exercise) was first introduced in Korea 10 years prior, it is still not covered by medical insurance, and no detailed survey on the dissemination of related programs has been conducted. Therefore, this study investigated the actual status of the education and practice of OFIE among the elderly and at elderly welfare institutions in the Seoul and Gyeonggi Provinces. Methods: Senior citizens aged more than 65 years old, public health centers (total of 69) and elderly welfare institutions (including nursing homes and elderly welfare centers, total of 56) per administrative area in the Seoul and Gyeonggi Provinces were targeted. We analyzed 200 elderly people and 93 institutions who agreed to participate in the survey. For the elderly, general characteristics, experience and route, current practice, and necessity regarding OFIE were investigated. For institutions, the history and plan of education programs on OFIE were investigated. Results: Regardless of the general characteristics, both the rate of experience and practice for OFIE were low overall; moreover, although they felt it was necessary, they had insufficient motivation for its implementation. Moreover, only a few institutions which were operating the education about OFIE regardless of the COVID-19 situation. Conclusion: Although OFIE is necessary for the elderly, its distribution remains insufficient. Therefore, further efforts are needed to expand the education and raise the awareness of oral exercise among elderly individuals and senior welfare institutions.

• 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.