• Title/Summary/Keyword: dental hygienist in public health

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Association between dental amalgam restoration and urine mercury concentrations among young women: a cross-sectional study

  • Su-Bin Park;Eun-Kyong Kim;Joon Sakong;Eun Young Park
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • v.40 no.4
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    • pp.373-380
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    • 2023
  • Background: The association between dental amalgam fillings and urine mercury concentrations was investigated in this study to assess the health risks associated with dental amalgams. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 99 women in their 20s who visited the dental clinic in Daegu, Korea. The 99 participants were composed of 68 subjects who had dental amalgam fillings (exposure group) and 31 subjects who did not have dental amalgam fillings (nonexposure group). Oral examinations were conducted by a single dental hygienist, sociodemographic features were investigated as confounding variables, and urine mercury concentrations were measured using an automatic mercury analyzer. Results: The mean±standard deviation of the urine mercury concentrations of the exposure and nonexposure groups were 1.50±1.78 ㎍/g creatinine and 0.53±0.63 ㎍/g creatinine, respectively. The exposure group showed significantly higher levels than the nonexposure group (p<0.01). The urine mercury concentration significantly increased with an increase in the number of teeth filled with amalgam, cavity surfaces involved, and number of defective amalgam fillings, and according to the latest exposure time (p<0.001). In the multiple regression analysis of amalgam-related factors and urine mercury concentrations after correction for confounding factors, the urine mercury concentration in the group with six or more amalgam-filled teeth, 11 or more cavity surfaces, and two or more defective amalgams was significantly higher than that in the nonexposure group (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to this study, exposure to dental amalgams was confirmed to significantly affect urine mercury concentrations.

Risk Assessment and Intervention of Ergonomic Risk Factor in Beekeeping (치과위생사의 직무스트레스 그리고 작업자세와 상지의 증상여부 및 기능과의 관련성)

  • Kwon, Yu-jin;Kang, Yong Ju;Seo, Sung-Hyo;Kim, Bokyoung;Park, Ki-Soo
    • Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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    • v.44 no.4
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    • pp.209-219
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    • 2019
  • Objectives: This study investigated musculoskeletal symptoms in upper limbs according to the working environment (job stress) of dental hygienists and examine their relationship with upper limb functions. Methods: The subjects include 198 dental hygienists in dental hospitals and dental clinics in Pusan and Gyeongnam. The questionnaire was consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, job stress, musculoskeletal symptoms in upper limbs and function (Disability Measurement Tool for Upper Extremity Disorders-11, DASH-11). Results: The study was analyzed their musculoskeletal symptoms in upper limbs according to their general characteristics and found that the symptoms occurred in the neck (39.4%), the shoulders (54.6%), elbows (14.7%), and the hands (50.0%). Job stress was associated with upper limb functions (DASH-11) (model 3, B=5.210, p=0.012) and repeated elbow bending and spreading posture was associated with DASH-11 (model 3, B=6.561, p=0.029). Elbow symptoms were associated with DASH-11 in the upper limbs (B=10.679, p=0.003). Conclusion: Dental hygienists are experiencing limitations of upper limb function due to job stress. In particular, even if the correction of their uncomfortable posture is significantly related to the job stress and upper limb function, in order to improve the upper limb function of the dental hygienist, efforts to reduce the job stress as well as the uncomfortable posture are necessary.

A study on the state of inservice education for dental hygienists and their relevant awareness (치과위생사의 보수교육 실태 및 인식에 관한 연구)

  • Jung, Jae-Yeon;Kim, Kyung-Mi;Cho, Myung-Sook;Ahn, Geum-Sun;Song, Kyoung-Hee;Choi, Hye-Jung;Choi, Youn-Seon;Hwang, Yoon-Sook
    • Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.73-89
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    • 2007
  • The purpose of this study was to examine the reality of inservice education provided to members of Korean Dental Hygienists Association, the state of relevant academic conferences, and the perception of the members about inservice education and academic conference. It's basically meant to help boost their participation in inservice education and their satisfaction with it, and to show some of the right directions for that. The subjects in this study were dental hygienists who attended a symposium on July 1, 2006. After a survey was conducted, the answer sheets from 489 participants were analyzed, and the findings of the study were as follows: 1. General hospitals and university hospitals made up the largest group(91.4%) that gave a monthly leave of absence, and the second largest group was dental hospitals(75.4%), followed by dental clinics(58.3%) and public dental clinics(48.0%). The most common closing time in dental clinics and dental hospitals was 5 p.m., and that was 12 p.m. in general hospitals and university hospitals. The dental hygienists in public dental clinics didn't work on Saturdays. By type of workplace, treatment was the most common duty for the dental hygienists in dental clinics and dental hospitals to perform, and those who worked at general hospitals, university hospitals and public health clinics were in charge of extensive range of jobs. 2. The rates of the dental hygienists who took that education stood at 94.9% in public dental clinics, 78.7% in dental hospitals and 75.3% in dental clinics, general hospitals and university hospitals. Regarding how many marks they got on an yearly basis, those who got eight marks or more made up the largest group(55.6%), followed by four marks or more(11.8%), six marks or more(3.4%), and two marks or more(1.5%). As for the usefulness of inservice education for their job performance, the largest number of the dental hygienists(40.8%) found it to be helpful, and the second greatest group(37.5%) considered its effectiveness to be so-so. The third largest group(8.4%) found it to be of great use, and the fourth biggest group(4.2%) considered it to be of no service. The fifth biggest group(l.3%) thought it was absolutely useless. By type of workplace, the workers in dental clinics, dental hospitals, general hospitals and university hospitals wanted the most to learn how to take care of clinical work(acquisition of up-to-date technology), and those in public health clinics hoped the most to learn about public dental health. By type of workplace, the workers in dental clinics had their sight set on self-development the most, and the dental hygienists in dental hospitals, general hospitals, university hospitals and public health clinics were most in pursuit of acquiring new knowledge. By type of workplace, the specific given conditions at work were most singled out by the dental clinic workers as the reason, and the dental hospital employees pointed out time constraints the most. The dental hygienists in general hospitals and university hospitals cited time constraints and financial burden the most, and the public health clinic personnels mentioned inaccessibility of a place for inservice education as the reason. 3. The public health clinic workers participated in academic conferences the most(90.8%), followed by the general and university hospital personnels(68.8%), dental hospital employees(65.6%) and dental clinic workers(65.5%). By type of workplace, the public health clinic workers(73.5%) expressed the most satisfaction, followed by the general and university hospital employees(67.7%), dental clinic workers(62.3%) and dental hospital personnels(54.1%). By type of workplace, the employees of dental clinics, dental hospitals, general hospitals and university hospitals preferred Saturdays, and the public health clinic workers had a liking for weekdays. As for a favored place, hotels were most preferred, followed by university hospitals, general hospitals, college lecture rooms, district halls and local public institutions. Hotels were most favored regardless of the type of workplace. 4. Regarding outlook on inservice education, they had the highest opinion on the facilities and given conditions of lecture rooms($3.41{\pm}0.83$), followed by the professionalism of lecturers($3.34{\pm}0.83$), procedures of receipt and attendance confirmation($3.34{\pm}0.83$) and class size($3.13{\pm}0.89$). On the contrary, they took the most dismal view of the inaccessibility of a place of inservice education($2.08{\pm}0.92$), followed by limited opportunity and limited date for that education($2.51{\pm}0.99$), extra financial burden($2.53{\pm}1.18$) and high tuition fee($2.57{\pm}0.96$).

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A survey on the current status and the opinion of professional oral health care for oral cancer patients (구강암 환자의 전문가 구강건강관리 수행현황 및 견해조사)

  • Yu, Ji-Won;Shin, Bo-Mi;Song, Ga-In;Lee, Sue-Hyang;Yoo, Sang-Hee;Bae, Soo-Myoung;Shin, Sun-Jung;Lee, Hyo-Jin
    • Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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    • v.19 no.6
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    • pp.1025-1036
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    • 2019
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the status and opinions of professional oral health care performance in oral cancer patients. Methods: Seven National University Dental Hospitals and the National Cancer Center in Korea surveyed the medical personnel in charge of oral health care for oral cancer patients. The questionnaire consisted of 16 questions, including the status of expert oral health care education and performance for oral cancer patients, etc. A total of 47 questionnaires were retrieved, and the collected data were used in PASW Statistics 23.0 to perform frequency analysis, cross-analysis, and kruskal Wallis tests. Results: A survey of oral health care education found that 29.8% of the medical personnel had received education. The most performed of professional oral health care was found that applying fluoride by dental hygienist, treating stomatitis by dentist, and wiping mouths with sponge by nurse. The assessment of self-performance has shown that applying fluoride by dental hygienists has a statistically significant difference. Only 37.8% of oral health care education for patients was conducted. Most recognized that oral health care in oral cancer patients was important, but it is difficult to provide care due to lack of performance personnel and time, opportunities for performance personnel to be educated. The improvement was found to require an increase in the number of performance personnel, placement of professionals, and practical training to enhance performance capabilities. Conclusions: For oral health care of oral cancer patients, continuous education for medical personnel, establishment of oral health care manual and medical system, research on oral health care of oral cancer patients and public relations campaign will have to be activated. Development of expert care manual analysis and evaluation tools for oral health care in oral cancer patients in the future and development of standardized curriculum will be necessary.

An Analysis on the Dental Hygienists' Perception of Patient Safety Culture at Dental Clinics (치과병원 치과위생사의 환자안전문화에 대한 인식 분석)

  • Jeong, Ji-Eun;Hwang, Da-Hye;Yun, Hyun-Kyung
    • The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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    • v.7 no.4
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    • pp.81-92
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    • 2013
  • This research was conducted to analyze the perception of the dental hygienists who work in ordinary dental clinics regading patient safety culture and to analyze the related elements. As for the research subjects and methods, 233 dental hygienists who work at the dental clinics located in Daegu, Gyeongbuk and Jeonnam were targeted from February 6, 2012 to March 5, 2012 to administer survey by utilizing patient safety culture recognition tool. Collected data was subjected to the SPSS 18.0 program to calculate average and standard deviation, and to carry out t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. Dental hygienists' level of perception towards patient safety culture was mid level, and it was demonstrated that there is a correlation with age, work experience at department, title and type of department that affect level of perception towards patient safety culture. In conclusion, Since this research targeted only a limited number of dental hygienists, it is necessary to be cautious about over-interpreting the results. Above anything, it is necessary to carry out repetitive research by targeting medical professionals of diverse jobs.

Work-related stress and depressive symptoms among dental hygienists (치과위생사의 우울증상과 직무스트레스와의 관련성)

  • Kwon, Mi-Young;Kim, Ji Hyun
    • Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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    • v.15 no.5
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    • pp.917-924
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    • 2015
  • Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between work-related stress and depressive symptoms among dental hygienists. Methods: This survey of dental hygienists was conducted in Gyeonggi province, South Korea. Total of 198 dental hygienists were interviewed in 2014. The occupational stress was evaluated by depression symptoms, which was assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory Scale. To estimate the odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals, logistic regression model was used. Results: Depressive symptoms were reported 46.0%(n=91) among dental hygienists. We found that the work-related stress increased with age, smoking(OR=5.16; 95% CI 1.73-15.3), and those who had the poor perceived health status(OR=4.22; 95% CI=1.50-11.86) was associated with the risk of depressive symptoms. After controlling potential confounders, such as dental hospital(OR=11.05; 95% CI=1.02-118.9), 5-7 years time since first employment(OR=0.15; 95% CI=0.03-0.89), and the group with the high job stress(OR=2.84; 95% CI=1.22-6.79) showed higher risks of depressive symptoms than did no depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the risk of depression appears to be related to age, smoking, self-reported health status, type of dental facility, years of practice and the stress of job.

Effects of a School - Based Oral Health Care Program on the Prevalence of Dental Caries in Primary School Children (학교구강보건사업이 초등학교 아동들의 유치 및 영구치 우식실태에 미치는 영향)

  • Choi, Soon-Lye;Ryu, Young-Ah;Cho, Min-Jeong;Song, Keun-Bae
    • Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.11-22
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    • 2004
  • Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral health care programs in 3 school-based oral health care center among primary schoolchildren. Methods: School-based oral health care programs included fluoride mouth rinsing, pit and fissure sealing for permanent premolars and molars, fluoride gel application and chewing of xylitol candy. All of the programs were carried out by one dental hygienist among 'D' primary schoolchildren in Daegu city under the supervision of a dentist. Baseline dental examinations were completed and preventive care was implemented for 544 children during one year. All of the children visited a school-based oral health care center every three months for a regular check-up. The final oral examination was conducted from March 15 to April 1, 2004. The data analysis data was made on the basis of SAS 8.01. Mean differences between 2003 and 2004 data were compared by paired t-test. Corresponding p-values were considered significant at values less than 0.05. Results: The DMF rate and DFT index were reduced to 8.0% and 8.4% during one year respectively, but there were no statistically significant differences. The DMF rate was significantly reduced (16.3%) after a one year program of school-based oral health care practice. The DMFT(Decay Missing Filling Tooth) index was also reduced compared to 2003 throughout the entire grade. Conclusion: School-based oral health care programs can reduce the prevalence of dental caries prevalence among schoolchildren during one year. This program also improved the oral health capacity of schoolchildren. It is recommend that the school-based oral health care program should be extended to every primary school in Korea.

Awareness of Oral Health Workforce on the National Health Insurance Coverage of Topical Fluoride Application (구강보건인력의 전문가불소도포 건강보험 급여화에 대한 인식)

  • Lee, Sun-Ho;Lee, Heung-Soo;Oh, Hyo-Won
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.46-53
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    • 2015
  • The purpose of this study is to identify the awareness of oral health workforce and the attitude concerning the health insurance benefit on topical fluoride application. The subjects are 173 dentists and 288 dental hygienists. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 12.0 statistical program. The findings of the study were as follows: Agree's (including strongly agree) ratios regarding to the health insurance benefit of topical fluoride application was 92.5% for dentists and 90.8% for dental hygienists. Appropriate age of health insurance benefit about the topical fluoride application was elementary, middle and high school students (8~19 years). This response ratio was high 45.7% for dentists and 43.2% for dental hygienists. Appropriate copayment (mean value) of health insurance about topical fluoride application coverage showed that NaF, $SnF_2$ solution and acidulated phosphate fluoride gel were 25,782 Korean Won (KRW) for dentist and 14,282 KRW for dental hygienist. Fluoride varnish copayment was 31,705 KRW for dentist and 17,979 KRW for dental hygienist. Fluoride iontophoresis copayment was 40,156 KRW for dentist, and 21,210 KRW for dental hygienist. The frequency of health insurance benefits about topical fluoride application was high in 'unlimited (37.5%)' for the dentists and 'two times (31.3%)' for dental hygienists. In conclusion, topical fluoride application should be included as one of the health insurance benefit items for oral health.

'Outspoken' Oral Hygienists Promote Oral Health Care Awareness at Public Events for (Pregnant) Women and Young Mothers

  • Buunk-Werkhoven, Yvonne A.B.;Gortzak, Jolanda J.C.;Sjoerts, Judith J.E.;Frederiks, Annemarie
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.140-149
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    • 2021
  • Background: The aim of these two (pre COVID-19 pandemic) public health studies in Amsterdam were to promote the profession of the oral hygienist and to increase oral health care awareness among (pregnant) women and young mothers, who were visitors of public consumer's exhibitions. Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were carried out. In 2018, during the first study, 1,765 visitors of the Household Fair completed a questionnaire. In 2020, during Study 2, 304 visitors of the Nine-Month Fair completed a semi-structured online questionnaire. At both fairs a team of 'outspoken' oral hygienists, i.e., members of the Foundation 'Goed Gebekt', provided the visitors with tailored advices about general health related to adults, mothers', and their children' oral health, using natural routine interviewing, that was based on their own professional daily practical experience. Results: In Study 1, just over half (53.5%) of a total of 1,742 visitors, (85.7% female) was younger than 45 years old. In Study 2, 210 visitors with a mean age of 30.7 years were included. Most women reported their self-perceived oral health as 'good' (mean=8.0, standard deviation=1.3; range 3~10). Qualified (self) employed oral hygienists seem to be known among the visitors, but still only visited upon referral of the dentists. Up to the age of 18 reimbursements by the basic insurance is still unknown to the public. Conclusion: The Foundation 'Goed Gebekt' encourages other oral hygienists to make their own initiatives and experiences public and to share it. Public awareness is needed for oral health promotion and the development of optimally targeted interventions among (pregnant) women and young mothers by oral hygienists.

A Survey on Preliminary Dental Hygienists' Senses of Employment (예비치과위생사의 취업에 관한 의식 조사)

  • Han, Su-Jin;Lee, Sun-Mi;Lim, Mi-Hee
    • Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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    • v.7 no.4
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    • pp.583-594
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    • 2007
  • The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey on the senses that preliminary dental hygienists have on employment, who applied for the National Dental Hygienist Examination, so that it could provide a basic reference required for fostering good human resources specializing in oral health with a sense of mission and responsibility as professional. To meet these goals, a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted for participants in a refresher education meeting for preliminary dental hygienists across three major regions(Seoul, Daejeon and Busan), which was held by the Korean Dental Hygienists Association(KDHA) on Jan. 15, 2006. Total 289 sheets of questionnaire were collected, and 262 sheets except invalid or incomplete ones were used for examination and analysis. As a result, this study came to the following conclusions: First, it was found that 40.4% respondents wanted to be employed in dental clinic or hospital. Most respondents(90.1%) answered that faithfulness is most valued as prerequisite qualification for employment in hospital, and highest percentage of respondents(39.3%) wanted to earn 16 to 17 million Korean won annually. For internship opportunities, 61.9% respondents replied that they could willingly accept the internship, provided that basic pay and switchover to regular employee are all assured. Second, as the results of survey on employment circumstances around respondents, it was found that most respondents(58.3%) were employed in dental clinic or hospital, and highest percentage of respondents(35.0%) earned 15 to 16 million Korean won. Third, it was found that interpersonal relationships among employees had most significant effects(4.81) on selection of employment, which was followed by in-house welfare benefits 1(monthly/annual vacation, resting room, etc; 4.56). For possible influential factors on the selection of employment depending on whether employed or not, it was found that there were Significant differences in pay, welfare benefit 2(seminar, orientation, refresher training opportunities, etc), post-wedding continued employment and merit system between employees and non-employees(pE0.05). Fourth, the survey on respondents' occupational senses of dental hygienist showed that major tasks of dental hygienists were represented by oral disease prevention(92.6%), case management(71.5%), oral health education(66.3%), hospital/clinic management and dental management support(10.4%) and public oral health activities(6.7%) respectively. For job satisfaction, it was found that almost half respondents(48.9%) showed satisfaction at their job and 32.6% felt satisfied at and proud of their job. That is, majority of respondents(81.5%) felt satisfied at their job as dental hygienist. For follow-up requirements to qualify for dental hygienists, it was found that 73.3% felt it necessary to give more investments to self-development, 62.2% respondents considered protection of membership's rights as one of future assignments that KDHA should be more committed to. For future social awareness about dental hygienists as occupation, 69.2% respondents expected that they would be better developed and treated as professional. And desired training courses as a part of qualification for professional dental hygienists were represented by case management(services, manners, etc; 33.3%), implant(28.9%), esthetics(correction, prosthesis, whitening; 18.9%) and so on. For an item on working years, it was noted that 75.9% respondents would keep working as dental hygienists as long as they could.

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