• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.507-521
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• 2009

This study purposed to analyze dental hygienists' job satisfaction according to their clinical career as an effort to enhance their job satisfaction and quality and to provide basic materials for dental hygienists' effective job performance. For this purpose, we surveyed 120 dental hygienists working at dental hospitals and clinics in Busan during the period from the $1^{st}$ February to $31^{st}$ March 2009 by using a self administered questionnaire. Job satisfaction was measured using a 5 point Likert scale ranging from 'Absolutely yes' (5 points) to 'Yes' (4), 'So so' (3), 'No' (2), and 'Not at all' (1), and a high score indicates high degree of satisfaction. When it testd the reliability of the job satisfaction scale was tested, Cronbach's Alpha (${\alpha}$) was 0.85 which indicates the instrument is sufficiently reliable. Data collected were analyzed with SPSS. We performed frequency analysis in order to examine the subjects' demographical characteristics, and Chi square and one way ANOVA to examine their perception of their job, job satisfaction, and their aptitude and status as a dental hygienists' according to clinical career. The results of this study were as follows. 1. The longer clinical career the dental hygienists had, the more they thought that they had aptitude as a dental hygienist (p<0.05). 2. The dental hygienists' turnover intention was different according to clinical career (p<0.01). 3. The longer clinical career the dental hygienists had, the more satisfied they were when they were working at a dental hospital or clinic equipped with convenience facilities (change room, lounge, etc.) (p<0.01). 4. The longer clinical career the dental hygienists had, the more power to make decisions they had and the more acknowledgement and trust they received from dentists (p<0.01). 5. Satisfaction with duty coordination was low in general, but it grew higher with increase in clinical career (p<0.01). 6. The longer clinical career the dental hygienists had, the more satisfied they were with patients' appreciation of their treatment (p<0.01). In addition, their time and opportunities to discuss with dentists were different according to clinical career, and their satisfaction with the items was higher when their clinical career was long (p<0.01). 7. As to their perception of dental hygienists' potential for development, they generally believed that they had potential for future growth with the expansion of their work scope (M=3.73). The longer clinical career the dental hygienists had, the more satisfied the more power to make decisions they had and the more acknowledgement and trust they received from dentists and their time and opportunities to discuss with dentists when they were working at a dental hospital or clinic equipped with convenience facilities (change room, lounge, etc.). The longer clinical career the dental hygienists had, the more they thought that they had aptitude as a dental hygienist. In conclusion, the longer clinical dental hygienists' Career had, satisfaction was able to take a highness to a dental hygienist occupation.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.281-293
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the requirements for the clinical dental tasks in the dental hygienists using the frequency of dental hygienists' tasks in the Korean dental clinics, and to provide them with the core competencies for achieving these. Methods: This study was based on evaluation of a self-reported survey. The dental hygienists were investigated upon classification of their tasks into direct and assistant performances, and the dentists were investigated by the competency level of the dental hygienists. The data from 481 clinical dental hygienists and 67 dentists were used for final analysis in this study, excluding the subjects who provided incomplete or inappropriate responses to the survey. The collected data were analyzed by frequency analysis. Results: The clinical dental core competency tasks of the dental hygienists were divided into 4 tasks for common dentistry, 4 for periodontics, 5 for conservative dentistry, 5 for pediatric dentistry, 5 for dental prosthodontics, and 3 for dental orthodontics. Clinical dental core competency tasks of the dental hygienists were performed more frequently of tasks performance than 8.0, and dentists required competence level was similar to that of most dental hygienists clinical dental core competencies. Conclusions: It is necessary to check whether the curricula of the universities include the competencies for the students enough to perform the corresponding tasks and the core competencies need to be reflected in the curricula. The clinical dental core competencies need to be agreed by dental hygienists, and it is necessary to be organized as the evaluation guide of the institute of dental hygiene education and evaluation and utilized as the national examination.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.891-902
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to propose contents of a curriculum and training program for dental hygienists as medical professionals by surveying the opinions of clinical dental hygienists and dental hygiene professors. Methods: The subjects were 192 clinical dental hygienists and 193 dental hygiene professors. They answered questionnaires that consisted of grading each task based on its importance: a) for dental hygiene students to learn, b) to perform autonomously in clinical practice, and c) the expectancy of the task to change when dental hygienists become medical professionals. Data analysis was performed using an independent sample T test to capture differences between clinical dental hygienists and dental hygiene professors. The terms in the answers of open-ended questionnaires were extracted. We used R 3.5.0, R Recommender, and Wordcloud software packages. Results: Calculus removal had the highest scores for dental hygiene students to learn and expectancy to change when dental hygienists become medical professionals. Physiotherapy of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), planning, performing, and assessment of community oral health programs had the lowest scores in autonomy in clinical practice. The dental hygiene professors gave higher scores in most of the tasks for dental hygiene students to learn, autonomy in clinical practice, and expectancy to change, than did clinical dental hygienists. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), job ethics, and communication were the most frequently mentioned terms in the training as medical professionals program contents. Conclusions: In the future, it will be necessary to study the curriculum to improve the proficiency of dental hygienists as medical professionals.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1057-1066
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to provide a reference material for improving the work environment to reduce the turnover intention of clinical dental hygienists in the future by identifying the problem of the turnover phenomenon of clinical dental hygienists in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. Methods: The method of this study used the raw data of 'A Survey on the Current Work Environment of Clinical Dental Hygienists' from August 29 to September 28, 2017, and 2,974 clinical dental hygienists in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do were finally selected as the study subjects. Results: The results showed that excessive workload, inadequate pay, and hierarchical organizational culture of a workplace were the main factors influencing the turnover intention of clinical dental hygienists, and the lack of welfare system, low wage and practical experience also affected their turnover intention. Conclusions: In order to reduce the turnover intention of clinical dental hygienists, it is important to create a working atmosphere where the members of an organization can freely share and communicate suggestions and improvements, and to pay their salary appropriate to the duties and roles of dental hygienists, and accordingly they will be able to carry out the duties with responsibility for a long time without moving to another organization.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.321-327
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the level of ethical dilemma and related factors in some clinical dental hygienists. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 290 clinical dental hygienists in G metropolitan city from January 5 to February 27, 2015. The instruments used for this study were the modified ethical dilemma scale developed Lee, Kim and Park. The questionnaire consisted of dental hygienists & subjects(4 items), dental hygienists & professionals(12 items), dental hygienists & partners(7 items), and medical information(31 items). The questions were measured by Likert 5 points scale. The statistical analyses include descriptive statistics, t-test and stepwise multiple regression analysis using SPSS 12.0 program. Results: Dental hygienists perceived ethical dilemma scored 3.35 and 3.24 except medical information. Professionals and partners in sub-domain of ethical dilemma by experience of ethics education and ethical conflict were high and showed statistically significant difference. The strongest predictor of dental hygienists and subjects was job satisfaction. The strongest predictor of dental hygienists and partners was adequacy of ethics education in college/university. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that it is necessary to develop the professional dental hygiene program for the prevention of ethical dilemma in dental hygienists and to make ethics education for ethical decision making.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1067-1077
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the opinions of some local clinical dental hygienists on medical personnel of dental hygienists. It will be for provide the Future dental hygienist basic data necessary for medical personnel. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 171 dental hygienists in Busan and Gyeongnam from December 1, 2017 to January 31, 2018. Structured questionnaires were uesd for analysis. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects(7 items), medical personnel necessity and opinions of dental hygienist(2 items), the opinions of distinction of the task between dental hygienists and other personnel(2 items), many frequency task in the dental clinic. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, descriptive statistics and ANOVA using IBM SPSS VER 20.0. Results: 89.5% of the dental hygienists required medical personnel of dental hygienist, the opinions on the necessity were as follows: 'role and quality improvement as oral health professionals', 'lack of legislation and application of dental hygienists duties'. There was no difference reason between dental hygienists and other personnel on duties, the reason were investigated to uncertainty of dental hygienist system, lack of dental hygienist workforce, dentists lack awareness of dental hygienist expertise. There was surveyed by the current many frequency duties in the dental clinic, assist for dental treatment, Oral health education and counselling, Preventive dental treatment. Conclusions: Legal guarantees for clinical dental hygienists work are absolutely required. Therefore, relevant government agencies and related organizations should resolve the contradiction of the legal system of medical law and medical technicians. The clinical dental hygienists should be promoted to medical personnel through the amendment of the medical law so that the duties practiced by the dental hygienist can be matched with the legal practice.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.189-196
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of clinical dental hygienists on customer orientation and prepare basic data for the rational and efficient human resource management of dental hygienists. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 220 dental hygienists from July 7 to August 8, 2019. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 program with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The customer orientation of clinical dental hygienists was 4.09, internal marketing was 3.10, organizational citizenship behavior was 3.97, and self-efficacy was 3.91. The variables that most influenced their turnover intention were those related to organizational citizenship behavior. These factors showed a 28.8% variance among dental hygienists. Conclusions: This study recommends the development and application of a program that enhances dental hygienists' customer orientation, recognizes them as internal clients, and improves dental productivity.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.165-175
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aims to examine the factors that influence the organizational citizenship behavior of clinical dental hygienists to use them as basic data for improving effectiveness and efficiency of dental clinics and hospitals. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was answered by 250 clinical dental hygienists in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, Jeolla and Gyeongsang province areas who were chosen using convenient sampling method from May 1st to June 30th of 2017. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS/WIN 22.0 factor analysis on clinical dental hygienists' organization citizenship behavior, organizational commitment, empowerment, self-leadership and job satisfaction. T-test and one-way ANOVA were performed for subjects' general characteristics and organizational citizenship behavior, organizational commitment, empowerment, self-leadership and job satisfaction depending on their job characteristics. The mean comparison was drawn using the Scheffe test. Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis were performed to examine the relation of clinical dental hygienists' organizational citizenship behavior, organizational commitment, empowerment, self-leadership and job satisfaction Also, the significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Clinical dental hygienists' organizational citizenship behavior was 3.84 points with organizational commitment of 3.27, empowerment of 3.41, self-leadership 3.45 and job satisfaction of 3.57. Factors that influence clinical dental hygienists' organizational citizenship behavior appeared in the order of organizational commitment, job satisfaction, self-leadership, empowerment and job intensity, and the model's explanation power was 45.6%. Conclusions: Clinical dental hygienists' organizational citizenship behavior was correlated to career, organizational commitment, empowerment, self-leadership and job satisfaction, where organizational commitment had the biggest influence. Therefore, clinical dental hygienists organizational citizenship behavior needs further studies and investigtae more ways to promote factors that influence organizational citizenship behavior.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.681-691
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between education experience, awareness and practice of infection control during the prosthodontic treatment in clinical dental hygienists. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was answered by 255 clinical dental hygienists in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas from October 10 to December 30, 2016. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects (8 items), dental prosthesis infection education experience (5 items), dental prosthesis infection awareness (5 items) and dental prosthesis infection practice (14 items) based on Likert 5 point scale. For statistical analysis, SPSS Statistic 22.0 was used. Results: A significant association was shown among education experience, awareness and practice of infection control during the prosthodontic treatment of clinical dental hygienists (p<0.001). Dental hygienists count, dental prosthesis infection education experience and awareness had positive influences, but the age group from 26 to 30 had negative influence on dental prosthesis infection practice. Conclusions: The study confimed that the dental prosthesis infection education program and continued education is necessary for the safety and health of patients, and to prevent the cross-infections of the clinical dental hygienists.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.207-219
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• 2019

Objectives: This study investigates the dental hygienist's main duties in clinical dental practice and examine whether dental hygienists can safely perform each duty by referring to the educational contents of dental hygiene departments and national examinations of dental hygienists. Methods: A questionnaire on the main duties of dental hygienists was administered to 477 clinical dental hygienists working at dental clinics and hospitals, general dental hospitals, and university dental hospitals in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, and Incheon. We divide the dental hygienists' clinical dental hygiene practice and clinical dental assist and analyze the legal scope of practice, university educational contents, and national examination contents. Statistical analysis was performed through frequency analysis, and multi-frequency data were analyzed using Excel 2013. Results: All 48 items (except 2 items of 29 dental hygiene practice and 21 assist practice items) surveyed were covered in the National Examination for Dental Hygienists and included in the Dental Hygiene Education Learning Objective. The multi-frequency clinical dental practice of eight items of clinical dental hygiene practice and two assist practice items were within the legal scope of the dental hygienist's role. Conclusions: Further discussions are needed to redefine the legal scope of the role of the dental hygienist.