• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.297-303
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral health status of the disabled people in Ulsan. Methods : Two dentists taken a calibration training for national oral health survey examined the Oral health status on 110 disabled people in Ulsan, in 2009. The surveyed disabled people, 6 to 19 years old, have been supplied with the oral health care services by dentists, oral hygienists and volunteers at dental clinics of schools and a dental clinic supported from Ulsan Metropolitan City Nam-Gu Health Center since 1997. The obtained data from these surveys were analyzed with the SPSS statistical package. Results : Among subjects aged 12-14 years, DMF rate was 38.2%; Active D rate, 17.6%; DMFT index, 1.15; DT rate, 33.33%; MT rate, 0.00%; FT rate, 66.67%. Oral heath status of disabled people in Ulsan were evaluated to be a similar level to the Ulsan non-disabled citizens from 2010 Korean National Survey. Conclusions : The oral health care programs for disabled people using voluntary dentists, oral hygienists and other workers in Ulsan are evaluated to be effective for the disabled people.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.843-855
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• 1995

Occupational Dentistry was introduced in Korea about 70 years ago. During the colonial period occupied by Japan till 1945, there were few documents about industrial dentistry, furthermore most cases of occupational diseases and accidents might have been concealed intentionally by the colonial government. After being an independent country, several dentists made efforts to set up 'Preventive Dentistry for Workers' performing specific oral health surveys, even though which were stopped by Korean War. In 1960s' and 1970s', some investigations of oral status were carried out intermittently for specific small groups;white-collar workers, mentally retarded person, buddhist monks and crews of ocean liners. At the same time there was important study in Korean history of occupational dentistry, which was 'a comparison of the oral hygiene conditions in the female workers of a spinning factory at intervals of 30 years.' In 1980s', young researchers began to give attention to erosion of the teeth due to sulphuric acid in the acid-related industry and dental caries due to sugar and flour in the sweets industry. After being democratic labor union movement activated in 1987, hidden and suppressed occupational diseases under the military dictatorship were exposed and flushed in the newspapers. It was shocking for all people that 15-year old boy had been dead due to mercury intoxication after 3-month employment in 1988. In 1990s', the activity for studying oral status of workers in their workplaces was launched and 'Occupational Accidents and Diseases in Oral and Maxillofacial Field' was published. And also The Korean Association of Occupationl Dentistry was established. Oral health examination of workers at the time of employment and of workers exposed to 5 special chemicals at the time of routine special health examination was adopted in 1992, and epocally oral health examination was also included in periodic routine examination of workers' health in 1995. So, occupational dentistry in Korea should cope with the changing needs of working environment and the altering scheme of health examination.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.51-61
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between socioeconomic status and blood heavy metal concentration in Korean adult population using the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey(KNHANES 2013-2015). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between socioeconomic status and the blood heavy metal concentration. Positive association was found between education and income level and blood concentration of mercury while those of lead and cadmium were negatively associated education and income level in Korean adult population (P for trend <0.001). At the point of an increase in the prevalence of heavy metal concentrations in the blood, a national public health policy will be needed to address the inequity of health due to socioeconomic factors.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.103-108
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• 2019

Background: This study was designed to provide logical backgrounds for the revision of biological exposure indices (BEIs) for styrene exposure in Korea. In order to investigate the correlation between airborne styrene and biological exposure indices, we measured urinary mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) in workers exposed to styrene occupationally, as well as airborne styrene at workplaces. Methods: Surveys were conducted for 56 subjects. The concentrations of airborne styrene and urinary metabolites of styrene were measured in 36 workers who were occupationally exposed to styrene, and in 20 controls. Air samples were collected using personal air samplers and analyzed by gas chromatography. Urine samples were collected at the end of the shift and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Results: The geometric mean concentration of airborne styrene was 9.6 ppm. The concentrations of urinary MA, PGA, and MA+PGA in the exposure group were 267.7, 143.3, and 416.8 mg/g creatinine, respectively. The correlation coefficients for correlation between airborne styrene and MA, PGA, and MA+PGA were 0.714, 0.604, and 0.769, respectively. The sum of urinary MA and PGA corresponding to an exposure of 20 ppm styrene was 603 mg/g creatinine. Conclusion: The correlation of the sum of urinary MA and PGA with airborne styrene was better than the correlation of each individual urinary determinant. It is considered appropriate to amend the concentration of urinary MA+PGA to 600 mg/g creatinine as a BEI, which corresponds to an airborne styrene concentration of 20 ppm in Korea.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2021

Introduction: Training standards for long-haul truck drivers (LHTD) are rapidly evolving in Canada, yet the opinions of the drivers themselves have not been adequately considered. The purpose was to survey LHTD on their work training history and to examine LHTD perceptions of driver training and licensing protocols. Methods: LHTD were recruited across two Western Canadian provinces from seven different truck stops. The sample completed 207 surveys and 67 semi-structured interviews. Results: The average age of the participants was 52.5 ± 11.5 years (range 24-79); 96% were men. Approximately 33% of the LHTD had at least one crash. Those who did not receive formal driver training were significantly more likely to crash than those who had received training. Participants stated that current training standards are inadequate for the industry, particularly for new drivers. According to participants, entry-level curriculums should consist of both classroom and practical training, as well as on-road observation with a senior mentor. LHTD reported that many new drivers are not equipped to drive in various contexts and settings (e.g., mountains, slippery roads). Conclusions: LHTD are not confident in the current training guidelines for novice truck drivers. Revisions to the training curriculum and standardization across Canada should be considered. Practical Application: A federal mandatory entry-level training program is needed in Canada to ensure that all new LHTD ascertain the necessary skills to drive safely. Such a program requires government involvement and input from LHTD to facilitate appropriate licensure and consistent training for all drivers.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.351-361
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to provide basic data for resolving individual and regional health inequalities by identifying factors that affect healthy living practices, and to protect the access to health equity and the access to health equity and the people's right to health. Raw data from the 2019 Community Health Survey were used, and descriptive statistical analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed using SAS 9.4 and IBM SPSS ver. 21. The healthy living practice rate was 33.8% overall, and there was a difference of 11~20% by region. In terms of individual factors, healthy living practices were significantly different in gender, age, occupation, sleep time, subjective health status, and subjective stress level. In the interpersonal factor, there was a difference in social activity for healthy living practice, and in the community factor, positive attitude toward the local physical environment, annual unsatisfied medical care, and use of health institutions were significant. In order to increase the practice of healthy living by region based on the research results, comprehensive policies and cooperative measures that can be approached at the individual, social and national level should be implemented along with specific strategies.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.375-382
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• 2022

Objectives: This study analyzes factors related to English communication skills in the dental health services of clinical dental hygienists who provide dental medical services to foreigners. Methods: Surveys were conducted to measure students' English communication skills. Participants comprised 195 clinical dental hygienists working at dental English study cafes or who provided dental medical services to foreigners. After analyzing the differences in English communication skills, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed on the factors related to English communication skills. Results: English communication skill of dental hygienists was 1.96 points out of 5 points. The factors related to the English communication skill of the clinical dental hygienists were foreign patient care, language training experience, overseas living experience, and certified English proficiency. The adjusted explanatory power of this model was 53.0%. Conclusions: Dental hygienists in charge of foreign patients have experience in language training and overseas residence, have a language qualification certificate, and have higher English communication skills. It is necessary to develop English language learning programs based on metaverse to develop the English communication skills of dental hygienists who provide dental health services to foreign patients and to operate a creative educational environment to increase interest in learning English.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 2007

Purpose: The rapid change to an aging society generates an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases. Many chronic patients have been facing their illnesses without enough preparation. In order to solve these problems, we designed and tested a public healthcare service based on ubiquitous technology. Method: Telemedicine has emerged as new medical care system of chronic disease. However, public potential of its technology is difficult to know under current traditional health care system. In this work, we developed a Personal Digital Access (PDA) phone based healthcare system by trained visiting nurses for elderly patients. A field test was performed by SeongBuk Public Health Center in Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK). Result: Surveys were generated to assess the effects of this system compared to conventional public health system. Findings of trials demonstrate that healthcare coordination enhanced by PDA phone technology is satisfactory to the patients and nurses compared to previous one because prompt responses arouse their recognition of health. Conclusion: Ubiquitous healthcare system applied to public health service proved to be efficient and time-saving to monitor and control the chronic illnesses of large population.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.338-354
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• 2023

Background: The influence of social capital on the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related behaviors and perceptions has been recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the trends in social capital using primary data from the Korean Community Health Survey, which is the only available source in Korea for local-level social capital analysis. It also investigates the relationship between various variables, including social capital, as factors influencing COVID-19-related behaviors and perceptions. Methods: The study analyzed the temporal trends of social capital using raw data from four community health surveys conducted in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021. A multilevel analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between social capital and COVID-19-related behaviors and perceptions following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Results: Social capital consists of trust, bonding social capital, and bridging social capital. Within the trust sub-factor, trust in neighbors (Trust-1) declined after the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas trust in safety and general environment (Trust-2) and trust in medical services and public transportation (Trust-3) increased. Additionally, the gap between municipalities narrowed. COVID-19-related behaviors and perceptions, such as adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures, return to normal activities, and fear of COVID-19, showed improvement in 2021 compared to the previous year. Individual-level trust in neighbors was associated with reduced fear of COVID-19, while community-level trust in neighbors was associated with increased fear of COVID-19. Conclusion: Social capital plays a role in mitigating public health crises, and it is necessary to implement active policies that address the gap in social capital between metropolitan and rural areas. Strengthening risk communication regarding emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19 is crucial.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.74-90
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• 2021

Background: It is getting important to improve the oral health status of the elderly because oral health status may affect their health status of the whole body. In this respect, we aimed to explore the association of oral health status and behavior factors with self-rated health status by sex. Methods: Using the data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for health surveys and oral examinations (2016-2018), we analyzed a total of 3,070 people aged 65 or older (men: 1,329; women: 1,741). Our dependent variable, self-rated health status, was divided into two groups: not good (bad and very bad) and good (very good, good, and fair), whereas our independent variables of interest were oral health status and behavior factors. In addition to descriptive analysis and the Rao-Scott chi-square test, reflecting survey characteristics, we conducted hierarchical multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for socio-demographics and health status and behavior factors. All analyses were stratified by sex. Results: The proportion of people having 'not good' self-rated health was 36.5% in women but 24.5% in men. In a model adjusted for all covariates, the self-rated health status showed significant association with the self-rated oral health status. For example, in men, the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health was high in people having 'poor' (odds ratio [OR], 5.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34-12.03) self-rated oral health status and in those having 'fair' (OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.68-9.70) in comparison with those having 'good' self-rated oral health status. Dental status regarding speaking difficulty seemed to be very important in influencing self-rated health status. For instance, in women, compared to people having 'no discomfort' speaking difficulty, the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health was high in people having 'not bad' (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.14-2.24) and 'discomfort' (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.30-2.47) speaking difficulty. The covariates significantly associated with the risk of having 'not good' self-rated health were: physical activity, chronic disease, stress, and body mass index in both sexes; health insurance type and drinking only in men; and economic activity only in women. Conclusion: Oral health status and behavioral factors were associated with self-rated health status among the elderly, differently by sex. This suggests that public health policies toward better health in the elderly should take their oral health status and oral health behaviors into account in a sex-specific way.