• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.129-139
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of pediatric and adolescent patients who received sealant after health insurance coverage based on demographic factors such as gender, age, insurance type, care institution and region. Patient Sample Data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service were used for this study. A total of 8,454,636 patients' data were obtained from 2010 to 2017. Of these, 114,680 patients got sealant treatment. Females were more likely to receive sealant treatment than males. 5 - 9 year age group showed the highest number of patients and proportion of treatment. Patients with health insurance were more likely to receive pit and fissure sealant treatment compared to patients with medical aid program. The number of sealant patients and the proportion of sealant treatment were the highest in dental clinics, followed by dental hospitals and public health centers. The number of sealant patients were the highest in Gyeonggi and proportion of sealant patients were the highest in Jeonbuk.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.97-101
• /
• 2010

The practice pattern of pediatric dentistry in the university dental hospital has been changing for the last several decades, due to socioeconomic changes, developments in dental materials and increasing number of private pediatric dental clinics. The purpose of this study is to survey the changing patterns of pediatric dental treatment in the university dental hospital and to present the future direction for pediatric dentistry. Patient distribution and practice trends were reviewed based on the OCS (order communication system) records of the department of pediatric dentistry, Seoul National University Dental Hospital from 2001 to 2008. Results were as follows; 1. The number of patients increased up to 2005 and decreased in 2006, and has remained constant up to 2008. 2. The proportion of preventive and orthodontic treatment increased and the proportion of restorative and pulpal treatment decreased. 3. In restorative treatment, amalgam restoration decreased and resin restoration increased. 4. Frequency of sedation decreased in 2006, 2007 and increased in 2008. 5. Frequency of general anesthesia increased up to 2008.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.109-120
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was first to analyze the utilization of dental examination through questionnaire to develop a diagnostic reference level of patient doses for dental radiography in korea. 77 dental institutions were classified into three groups: A group for the dental hospitals of the college of dentistry (11 institutions), B group for dental hospitals (30 institutions) and C group for dental clinics (36 institutions). The results were as follows : The mean numbers of unit chairs and medical staffs were 140.2, 15.3 and 5.8 sets, 112.6, 7.3 and 1.7 dentists, 3.1, 0.5 and no one radiologic technologists, and 19.7, 12.5 and 3.3 dental hygienists in A, B and C groups, respectively. The mean numbers of dental X-ray equipments were 14.64, 3.21 and 2.19 in A, B and C groups, respectively. Intraoral dental X-ray unit was used the most, the following equipments were panoramic, cephalometric, and cone-beam CT units. The most used X-ray imaging system was also digital system (above 50%) in all three groups. Insight dental film (Kodak, USA) having high sensitivity was routinely used for periapical radiography. The automatic processor was not used in many dental institutions, but the film-holding device was used in many dental institutions. The utilization rates of PACS in A, B and C groups were 90.9%, 83.3% and 16.7% respectively, and the PACS software program was used the most PiView STAR (Infinitt, Korea). The annual mean number of radiographic cases in one dental institution in 2008 for A group was 6.8 times and 21.2 times more than those for B and C groups, and periapical and panoramic radiographs were taken mostly. Tube voltage (kVp) and tube current (mA) for periapical radiography were similar in all three groups, but exposure time in C group was 12.0 times and 3.5 times longer than those in B and C groups. The amount of radiation exposure in C group, in which dental hygienists take dental radiographs, was more than those in other groups. The exposure parameters for panoramic radiography were similar in all three groups. In conclusion, the exposure parameters in dental radiography should be determined with reference level, not past experiences. Use of automatic processor and film-holding devices reduces the radiation exposure in film system. The quality assurance of dental equipments are necessary for the reduction of the patient dose and the improvement of X-ray image quality.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2007

This study aimed to provide basic information on dental hygienists' practicing the prevention of infections by figuring out their actual conditions in dental clinics. The subjects of the study were the dental hygienists who participated in the continuing medical education of Incheon & Gyeonggi-do association and Seoul city association in October and November 2005 and the self-administered surveys were used for the prevention of infections. The results were as below. 1. In terms of education experiences of infection prevention, those who answered "there were" were 72 persons (42.9%) and those who followed the educational route for infection prevention were "through the in-house education from the hospital" and they were 42 persons (58%), which were highest. 2. In terms of the injury experiences, those who answered "there were" were 147 persons (87.5%) and the number of annual injury out of 147 persons with injury experiences was 7.7 time. For the tools that were damaged, 125 persons (75%) damaged the "explorer," which was highest. 3. For the experiences of being infected with contagious diseases, those who answered "there were" were 6 persons (3.6%) and there were four persons for "hepatitis B", one person for "rubella" and one person for "TB." 4. The questions with high practice scores were as in the following: "2. I wash my hands after conducting medical examinations (1.86 points)," "7. I always close the lid of a shot of Novocain after doing local anesthesia (1.86 points)" and "20. I separate and collect the wastes and give them to those who treat accumulated materials (1.85 points)". Meanwhile, the questions with low practice scores were as below: "16. I change my medical gowns (doctor wears) once a day (0.24 point)" and "I wash my medical gowns every time after examining patients with contagious diseases (0.52 points)." 5. The question with high knowledge was as below: "1. The contagion during the dental treatment is determined by source of infection, infection methods, infection routes and the host that is prone to infection (0.95 point)" and the question with the lowest knowledge was "5. HBV(hepatitis B) is destroyed after adding 95oC of heat for more than 5 minutes (0.27 points)." 6. The question with the highest organization-related factors was "I am always ready to use a mask, gloves, etc. if necessary" (0.89 points)" and the question with the lowest score was "There is a guideline that I can refer when I am exposed to dangerous situations related to the contagion in my workplace (0.33 point)." 7. In terms of the equipment conditions of protectors in medical environments, 168 persons for (disposable) mask (100%), 167 persons for disposable gloves (Latex) (99.4%), which meant that most of them were equipped with them. On the contrary, 108 persons (64.3%) are equipped with the protectors for frontal faces, which is the lowest and 165 persons (98.2%) said that they had autoclave in their disinfecting and sterilizing devices.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.133-138
• /
• 2006

To find out influence of water fluoridation program on the economic benefit effect, this study analyzed comparatively dental treatment indicators obtained from dental clinics at Sangdang-gu in Chenongju City, fluoridated community and Manan-gu in Anyang City, non-fluoridated community, from January 1, 2003 to the end of June, and the results are as follows: 1. If water fluoridation program is carried out in Anyang, non-fluoridated community, the number of treatment from caries and disease of tissues around dental pulp and root apex from age 6 to 18 for the first half of year 2003 is expected to decrease by 1,272, 636 for low estimation, and 1,908 for high estimation. And the treatment cost is expected to decrease by 40,888,000 Wons, 20,444,000 Wons for low estimation, and 61,333,000 Wons for high estimation. 2. Assuming that water fluoridation program is spread to all over the country, the number of treatment per year is expected to decrease by 2,492,018, 1,246,009 for low estimation, and 3,738,027 for high estimation. And the treatment cost is expected to decrease by 80,105,075,000 Wons, 40,052,537,000 Wons for low estimation and 120, 157,612,000 Wons for high estimation respectively. 3. For Yeong-un water supply management office which has 48,925 water supply personnel, the benefit/cost rate was 2.9 times, and for Jibuk water supply management office which has 239,751 water supply personnel, the benefit/cost rate was 9.0 times. As the water supply personnel increased, the cost increase of water fluoridation program was little and as the scale got large, the economic effect was very large. Improving national oral health is thought to be associated with expense retrenchment of oral health insurance financial. So it may need to extend using tap water to all the area of the country and additionally establish confidence through an active public relations and education of water fluoridation program.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.9-33
• /
• 2007

In the field of dentistry, there existed relatively few emergency patients or patients who need intensive care and thus had low medical dispute rates. However, these days, there is a general tendency of increased medical disputes. Although many medical disputes are caused by medical accidents of the dentists, because dental assistants are also lawfully involved in practicing dentistry, there is a possibility of medical disputes or medical accidents caused by dental assistants. Therefore, the role of the dental assistants cannot be ignored. This study consists of a survey given to dental hygienists currently working in general hospitals, dental hospitals and private dental clinics. Following is the results of the analysis of 275 respondents' backgrounds, medical disputes rates including patients' complaints, their understanding of medical regulations and their general understanding of overall dental practice and medical disputes. 1. 251 of 274(91.6%) respondents doubted the risk of medical accident and dispute. 2. 81(29.5%) dental hygienist experienced complaint from patients. They have been working in the private dental clinic, the rate of this experience was high. 3. 349 case of 1805(19.3%) the complaints by patients, highest percentage among its category, were those regarding dental fees and poor service. 4. 129 case of 1805(7.1%) patients' complaints, highest percentage among it's subcategory, were those regarding the absence of explanations of precautions or request of agreements before dental treatment. 5. 252 of 267 (94.4%) dental hygienists chart after a scaling treatment. However, only 55(20.7%) dental hygienists chart the fact of explaining the precautions. 6. 6(2.2%) dental hygienists do not inspect patients' medical history, if patients don't mention it. 7. 104 of 274(38.0%) dental hygienists responded to be capable of administering first aid treatment. 8. 115(41.8%) dental hygienists have a first aid kit and equipment. 9. In case of medical dispute, 268(97.8%) dental hygienists respond that, charting plays a big role in resolving the dispute. 10. In case of medical dispute, 272(93.3%) dental hygienists respond that, explanation and agreement before treatment have an important role in settlement of dispute 11. Only 160(58.4%) dental hygienists responded correct answer that the duration of keeping medical records is 10 years. 12. 124(45.3%) respondents thought that it is legal for a dental hygienist to take a panoramic dental X-ray, 71(25.9%) respondents thought that it is legal practice cervical resin treatment by dental hygienist, and 37(13.5%) respondents thought that it is legal extract primary teeth by dental hygienist. 13. 24(18.76%) respondents thought that it doesn't matter to tell patient's state to others 14. 272(99.27%) responded that receiving education for the prevention of medical disputes was needed and of them, 61.0% thought it was urgent. 15. 186(64.2%) has never had classes regarding the prevention of medical disputes while in school and 212(77.4%) has not had the same type of classes after graduating from school. 16. 256(93.4%) responded that there will be even more of an increased number of medical disputes. Among them, 83.3% of respondents though that due to the increased opportunity of acquiring information through the internet and mass media. The study shows that 29.5 percentage of dental hygienists have experienced the medical disputes and complaints and they are lack of recognition of medical regulations and dental hygienist's official duty. So, there is a big potential of the percentage to increase. Therefore, the correct understanding of explaining precautions and requesting agreement before dental treatments and performing them are mandatory. Moreover, classes regarding the prevention and counterplans of medical disputes need to be widely offered.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.219-225
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the patients' knowledge and expectation of dental implants and to provide effective consulting and accurate information on implants to them. To that end, between March 23, 2008 and June 5, 2008, patients who were visiting dental clinics (hospitals) in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and Incheon areas were surveyed. 84.7% of subjects said that they recognized implants, and the largest number of them (26.7%) of subjects came to know via friends. According to an analysis of subjects' knowledge of the dental implant operation, the maximum value was 4.06, and the minimum value was 3.05. The opinion value on the need to have regular examination after the implant operation was highest at 4.06. Regarding expectation over the implant operation, the maximum value was 4.42, and the minimum value was 1.78. The opinion value on considering the implant operation capability the most important was the highest at 4.42. The relationship between the knowledge of and expectation over implants was significant. By gender, females had a significantly higher level of knowledge than males. Regarding preference, females scored 3.27 points, and males scored 3.23 points. By occupation, professionals earned the highest score of 3.55 in knowledge, and professionals earned the highest score of 3.31 in expectation. According to an analysis of the relation between variables of knowledge of and variables of expectation over implants, the correlation coefficient (r) between the two factors was 0.362, indicating a positive relevancy(+)(p<.01).

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.3-9
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major global threat, and although the prevalence is comparatively still very low, the number of HIV-positive Koreans is increasing. However, there are no official guidelines as to how to treat people living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA) or how to screen for potentially infectious people. This study assessed the level of knowledge and attitudes of dentists in Korea toward PLWHA, and their attitudes to screening patients for HIV infections. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective survey targeting dentists working in Korea was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: A satisfactory level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and a relatively positive attitude toward PLWHA was found. Most of the respondents preferred rapid HIV testing using oral fluid as a specimen. The general attitude of dentists toward HIV/AIDS is sufficiently positive to enable provision of the best treatment to the patients in need. Conclusions: Most of the dentists require HIV testing in dental clinics. In spite of their needs, there are several obstacles. It is hoped that financial considerations and official legal requirements related to HIV testing strategies will be considered.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.469-474
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the satisfaction level of parents with elementary school students in some metropolitan areas with the pit and fissure sealing program in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of the preventive treatment and accelerate the spread of it. The subjects in this study were 231 parents who had school children and resided in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. After a self-administered survey was conducted in October and November 2008, the collected data were analyzed. The findings of the study were as follows; 1. As to places for receiving the preventive treatment, 111 respondents (48.1%) experienced pit and fissure sealing in dental clinics, and 88 respondents(38.1%) did that in dental hospitals. 177 people(76.6%) received that treatment from dentists, and 16 respondents(11.3%) did that from dental hygienists. 2. Concerning whether to be for or against the pit and fissure sealing program, more than half that numbered 143(61.9%) supported that program, and 88 respondents(38.1%) didn't. As for satisfaction level, they expressed the biggest satisfaction with the preventive effect of that treatment($3.92{\pm}.85$), and were least satisfied with the cost($1.91{\pm}.86$). 3. Regarding links between general characteristics and satisfaction level, they were statistically significantly different in satisfaction level with the cost according to residential area and the number of child, and age made a statistically significant difference to their satisfaction level with the preventive effect of it. 4. As for relationship between warranty term and whether to be for the pit and fissure sealing program or not, 45(31.5%) out of those who supported the program were provided with no warranty, and 32(36.4%) out of those who took a stand against it were provided with no warranty, either. Warranty was provided to 12(8.4%) respondents of the former group without a fixed term, but that's not the case for any of the latter. The warranty term made statistically significant differences to their agreement or disagreement to the program(p<0.05).

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.391-400
• /
• 2005

Special Practitioner exists based on the need for special fields that are required to manage difficult patients with specialized skills distinguished from General practitioner. The purpose of dental specialist system is to manage patients who are not treatable by general practitioner by training doctors specializing in one specific field, thereby, enhancing health of the public. Oral Medicine deals with orofacial pain, oral soft tissue disease, forensic dentistry, oral diagnosis. In these days, living environments of city life bring about increase in stress which ultimately lead to increase in prevalence of temporomandibular disorder, oral soft tissue disease, neuropathies such as trigeminal neuralgia, and hence, the number of patients seeking help of those symptoms tend to increase. The purpose of this study was to analyze the rate of referrals and the routes of patients seeking help by investigating 3,707 patients who visited Department of Oral Medicine, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, from August, 2004 to April, 2005. The results were as follows: 1. The types of disease referred to the Department of Oral Medicine were orofacial pain, oral soft tissue disease, forensic dentistry, oral diagnosis. 2. The rate of referrals was 58.51% which implies that more than half of the patients visiting the Department of Oral Medicine were referred. 3. The types of institution which made referrals were analyzed, and as a result, dental clinics made most of the referrals with the rate of 83.23%, while that from medical or oriental medical institutions was 16.78%. 4. Among the patients who visited the Department of Oral Medicine on their own, 30.52% gained the information about the Department of Oral Medicine from internet and mass media, and from neighbors. From the above results, most of the patients visiting the Department of Oral Medicine were found to be referred not only from the field of dentistry but also from the field of medicine. These suggest that Oral Medicine manages patients who are not treatable by general dental practitioners, and medical specialists tend to cooperate with the Department of Oral Medicine to manage diseases associated with Oral Medicine. Therefore, the role of Oral Medicine can be considered to be important as a special field, and the results of this study should be considered when working out a policy of Dental specialist system on demand and supply of residents in the future.