• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.51-63
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to be of use for getting rid of job stress from dental technicians, by examining how much they were stressed out at work place as one of the professional medical personnels. The subjects in this study were 255 selected dental technicians who were working in the region of Taegu. The one-on-one interview was conducted from March 1 to 30, 2001, with structured questionnaire. The questionnaire sued in this study included 19 question items about the general characteristics and 29 items regarding job stress. The job stress was categorized into seven subareas based on earlier studies and considering the job situations of dental technicians: heavy workload, job conflicts, improper treatment, role and job knowledge, human relations, physical environment and personal matters. The job stress extent was measured on five-point Likert scale that is widely used in social science: one point for no stress, two for little stress, three for so-so, four for a little stress, and five for severe stress. Therefore, a higher point means a severer job stress. The reliability of the questionnaire turned out very good with Cronbach a = 0.9272. The findings of this study were as follows: 1. The general characteristics of the dental technicians investigated could be described as below: (1) By gender, 80.4% of the dental technicians were male, and 50.2%, the largest percentage, were in their 20s, followed by those in their 30s, those in their 40s, and those in their 50s in the order named. (2) The most common work place was dental technician shop(92.5%), followed by dental technology room in dental hospital or clinic and in general hospital in the order named. The primary duties were coating materials work(30.6%), followed by sculpture, grinding, partial and full denture and orthodontics in the order named. 2. The most larges (1) The most largest motivation to be a dental technician was its being a professional(33.7%), followed by the advice from others, their own aptitude, and good economic treatment in the order named. 3. Their job stress could be explained as below: (1) Their collective job stress average was 3.96$^{\circ}{\ae}$0.50 on the basis of 5 point, which showed that they were exposed to a fairly severe job stress. (2) By area, they were most stressed out from heavy workload (4.12), and they also were severely stressed from role and job knowledge(4.02) and personal matters(4.00). (3) By situation, they were most stressed when the disagreement of prosthesis that results from a specific error is unconditionally attributed to them(4.43). And they were also stressed a lot when their workload increases due to the rework(4.38), when a dentist asks something difficult for them to resolve(4.20), when heavy workload makes their working hours irregular and it's impossible to lead a personal life or have leisure time(4.16), and when they are o work for an excessively short time(4.16). This fact indicated that most of the dental technicians were exposed to a lot of stress in conjunction with job performance. 4. The main duties they took charge of didn't make any significant difference to their job stress, but yielded a significant difference to the extent of job stress in individual areas and the order of the most stressful one. Those who were engaged in grinding were most stressed from their own matters, whereas heavy workload was most stressful for those who were engaged in the other types of works. 5. As a result of seeing if their personal characteristics yielded any differences to job stress, the personal characteristics that made their job stress vary significantly were working hours, motivation of being a dental technician, job satisfaction and willingness to continue doing dental technology works. There was a tendency that longer working hours led to severer job stress, and those who chose to be a dental technician according to their own aptitude were less stressed than the others who became a dental technician because of economic reason or advices from others. And the people who were satisfied with their job were exposed to less job stress than the others who weren't, and those who had an intention to keep that job as much as possible were less stressed, compared to the others who hadn't.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.786-793
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• 2015

The purpose of this study to find out factors that affect intention of career discontinuity among dental hygienists. The data was collected from 300 dental hygienists working at dental clinics. The total of 281 copies were used for analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using PASW Statistics 18.0 at the 5% significance level. T-test, ANOVA, factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, hierarchical regression analyses were applied in this analysis. The results were as follows: 1. As for intention of career discontinuity by general characteristics, there were statistically significant difference according to age, duration of employment, children, children age and monthly income (p<0.05). 2. As for intention of career discontinuity by job awareness, there were statistically significant difference according to turnover, work-life, retirement age of dental hygienist, duration of job maintenance and re-employment of dental hygienist (p<0.05). 3. As for hierarchical regression analysis of the factors affecting the intention of career discontinuity, the support from employer had most significant influence on intention of career discontinuity (p<0.05). In order to decrease the career discontinuity among dental hygienists, plans that can increase the work-environment should be implemented by improving support from employer.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.5986-5992
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• 2012

This study purpose is assessment to intention of turnover for dental hygienists. The study population was dental hygienists who registered at conference of Korean Dental Hygienists Association. Finally 1,955 among 2,040 were finished the question and response(response rate 95.8%). Statistical analysis conducted using SPSS 18.0K for Windows. The difference on the distribution of independent variables related with experience of turnover analyzed with Chi-square test. The results of this research could be summarized as follows: The rate of the dental hygienists experienced of turnover was 46.8%. The unmarried dental hygienists were more intended than the married ones(p<0.001). More higher education group, more higher working experience group, more higher income group, more aged group had more turnover(p<0.001). The reason of turnover were environment of employment(night work, 23.7%), personal reasons(19.1%), conditions of employment(14.6%). In conclusion, this study suggests that set up a strategy of career life for dental hygienists in dental clinic.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.141-151
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• 2009

Cognitive degree of musculoskeletal symptoms and existence (or non-existence) of experience was conducted following dental hygienists' health habits, heath state and working environment targeting dental hygienists who were working for the dental clinics in Masan-si, Changwon-si and Jinhae-si in Gyeongsangnam-do for one year or more. The research findings were as follows. 1. Cognitive degree of musculoskeletal symptom following general characteristics was the highest among the subjects who were 40 years old or above. 2. As for the education level, cognitive degree of musculoskeletal symptoms was high while prevalence was low, which were statistically significant when the education level was higher. 3. Cognitive degree of musculoskeletal symptom was high when the subjects exercised, and cognitive degree of musculoskeletal symptom and prevalence were significantly high when they are engaged in leisure activities or hobbies. 4. Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was statistically high if they are afflicted with disease, if they feel burdened by their job, if they suffer from considerable physical fatigue, if they feel chronic fatigue or if they feel that their health state is poor. 5. Cognitive degree of musculoskeletal symptom and prevalence were higher, which was statistically significant, when the number of years worked was higher. 6. Cognitive degree of musculoskeletal symptom was higher, but prevalence was lower when the time that they were seated was longer. This research demonstrated that the musculoskeletal disorders related to their job that afflicts the dental hygienists is not caused by one element, but it is possible to see that the musculoskeletal disorders results from the interaction of the diverse elements that are interrelated such as the subjects' characteristics and health habits and heath state, working environment and so forth including inappropriate work related movements. To this, dental hygienists need to improve their health habits so that they can form proper health habits that will ensure health in every day life on their own with the improvement of their every day life habit and positive self-evaluation to act on the health promotion behaviors, education and publicity, and measures to prevent and to manage musculoskeletal disorders in overall need to bepursued after in an active manner.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.137-147
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• 2007

Dentists are known to be highly exposed to the musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The present study investigated the prevalence of MSD among Korean dentists and association between their MSD and physical workload. In addition, work-related causes of high physical workload were identified and needs of dentists were collected for improvement of dental instrument and environment. Four types of questionnaires including the Nordic questionnaire were used to investigate body troubles, physical workload, causes of physical workload, and improvement priority of dental components. A total of 104 dentists in Seoul were participated in the survey. Neck trouble (82%) was the most prevalent in the participated dentists and shoulder (68%) and low back trouble (56%) followed, while low back trouble was reported to be most common in previous western studies. The body troubles were related to the physical workload of the corresponding body parts, although they were not associated with personal characteristics. Most dentists selected 'to keep direct view inside patient's mouth' and 'no support of the hand with dental instruments' as causes of awkward and strenuous work postures. They wanted design improvement for some components in their operating room such as operating light and arrangement of workplace.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.295-301
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• 2014

This research purports to find out the factors that affect the level of emotional labor in dental hygienists. Data were collected from 204 dental hygienists working at 5 university hospitals and 55 dental clinics through self-administered questionnaire, and analyzed by statistical analysis using t-test, ANOVA, and regression analysis. The main findings of the study are as follows: First, the higher the educational level of dental hygienists, and the bigger the size of dental institutions they work, the higher the level of emotional labor of dental hygienists. Second, patient and environmental factors were found to have significant effects on the level of emotional labor. The above results imply that managers should try to make the workplace better environment which can secure appropriate workload and rewards, and support for work related education programs etc. It is also needed to educate the patients in order to prevent unnecessary conflicts between the patients and dental hygienists.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the convergence relationship between the clinical practice stress and professional identity of 171 dental hygiene students from 3 university in Jeollanam-do area. The data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 18.0 program. Professional identity was negatively correlated with clinical practice training environment(r=-0.352, p<0.01), clinical practice work burden(r=-0.185, p<0.05) and conflicts with patients(r=-0.181, p<0.05). The convergence factors influencing professional identity were clinical practice training environment(${\beta}=-0.261$), aptitude(${\beta}=0.238$), advice from others(${\beta}=-0.186$) and clinical practice unsatisfied(${\beta}=-0.176$). The regression model explained 23.7% of professional identity. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a program for the smooth labor supply by understanding the relationship between clinical practice stress and professional identity in dental hygiene students.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.39-48
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• 2013

Purpose. This study was performed on survey related dental hygienist job stress and job satisfaction, to improve the work efficiency of the dental hygienist and for dental hygienist to eliminate the cause of stress for health promotion and for management to be able to help to finding ways to provide basic data. Method. This survey is based on 235 people who are dental hygienists working in Changwon city from November 1 to November 30 2012, by statistical analysis of collected data using SPSS Win Program 20.0 version t-test, univariate analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA), correlation analysis that performed to determine statistical significance with a significance level of 0.05 was considered. Results. For correlation of job satisfaction and job stress, the job demands, job insecurity, and workplace culture shows a negative correlation. For Correlation of the physical environment, insufficient job control, interpersonal conflict, and organizational system is, lack of reward shows a positive correlation. The less job stress due to Insufficient job control, interpersonal conflict, organizational system, is, the higher job satisfaction due to job demands and workplace culture is.(p <0.05), The higher job stress is, the higher the job satisfaction is(p <0.05). Conclusions. Job satisfaction and job stress may be relevant each other, there fore several measures should be sought to solve insufficient job control, interpersonal conflict, organizational system and the lack of reward, consequently to increase the job satisfaction of dental hygienists.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.649-659
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the musculo-skeletal pain prevalence and severity in the dental hygienists based on PRECEDE model. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 483 dental hygienists in Gwangju from September 13 to October 12, 2013. Data were analyzed by frequency analysis, chi-square test, t-test, and multiple logistic regression analysis using SPSS 18.0 program. Musculo-skeletal pain severity was classified from 1 to 5 by PRECEDE model. The questionnaire consisted of six questions of the general characteristics of the subjects, one question of musculo-skeletal pain prevalence, one question of body part musculo-skeletal pain prevalence, one question of subjective health status, three questions of activities of daily living, six questions of working environment, one question of musculoskeletal system diseases knowledge, two questions of social support, two questions of education experience and data use method, and five questions of necessity of health education. Results: The prevalence rate of musculo-skeletal pain within a year was 83.9% and 22.8% of the dental hygienists complained of severe pain. The odds ratio of moderate pain severity was 1.99(95% CI, 1.10-3.60) and the odds ratio of unhealthiness was 3.27 (95% CI, 1.35-7.94). The odds ratio of pain severity in those working for 4-6 years was 0.21(95% CI, 0.08-0.57). The odds ratio of pain severity in those practicing 6-10 scaling cases per day was 0.33(95% CI, 0.17-0.65). The odds ratio of pain severity in wrist turning and bending was 3.56(95% CI, 1.19-10.62). Conclusions: The muscolu-skeletal pain severity in the dental hygienists was closely associated with subjective health condition, work duration, the number of scaling practice activity, and a treatment posture. Regular physical checkup for the dental hygienists will improve the musculo-skeletal pain due to scaling practice.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.951-959
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• 2011

Objectives : The author has studied the effects of behavior of preventive treatment on job satisfaction in dental hygienist. Methods : The hygienists who had worked from June 27th to August 1st in 2011 were explained about this research objectives and only the hygienists who agreed with this research participation were conducted a self-administered Questionnaire survey and the results were collected immediately. The collected questionnaire was 297, but the final 250 questionnaire were decided as a target except for the trustless ones. This analysis was extracted using SPSS(SPSS 12.0 for windows, SPSS Inc, Chicago, USA). Results : 1. Preventive treatment of dental hygienist was shown as this order - Educational needs 4.25, Importance 4.12, Usefulness 4.09, Perform 3.42. Job satisfaction was reached the moderate level. 2. Analysis of preventive treatment of hygienist was shown as this order - Basic brushing education 4.72 was ranked the highest, Taking patient history and Incremental dental health care 4.58 was held the second place. Dental caries activity tests 3.30 was shown the lowest figures. Response of preventive treatment conducting was like this order - Taking patient history 4.30, Dental prophylaxis 4.28, Basic brushing education 4.11, Incremental dental health care 4.04. Dental caries activity tests 2.05 was shown the lowest figures. 3. General characteristics in behavior of preventive treatment was resulted in this case that the respondents who have worked for less one year in current job than the ones who have worked for more than five years was shown such a low level, this was taken as a meaningful difference.(p=0.008) 4. It was shown that the higher fulfillment of preventive treatment(${\beta}$=0.340, p<0.001) and the greater earnings(${\beta}$=0.194, p=0.001) and usefulness of preventive treatment(${\beta}$=0.130, p=0.042), the higher job satisfaction. Conclusions : Considering these results, environment where the hygienists can concentrate on preventive treatment which is their proper job should be built up as soon as possible. And through this environment, the atmosphere where hygienists, as oral health professionals, can play a role to improve the oral health of the people by boosting job satisfaction should be created. Also It is thought that an institutional, actual improvement-changing the social awareness towards hygienists and dentists, the recognition of scope of the hygienists' work - should be established urgently.