• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.253-259
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the need for the retirement attitude of korean dental technicians. Retirement attitude is important in the study of retirement planning. Methods: A total of 778 dental technicians were selected by proportional stratified by region compared to extraction sampling from a list of korea dental technician association in 2012. The final sample size was 386. Questionnaires consisted of 10 questions general characteristics, 9 questions for the current life satisfaction and retirement preparation, and 4 questions about retirement attitudes on a Likert 5 scale. Cronbach's alpha was 0.812 in the study. All statistical analyzed were performed using SPSS 14.0(Statistical Packages for Social Science Ver. 14.0. Chicago, IL, USA). Results: An average of $3.01{\pm}0.8$ dental technicians were retirement attitude. To affect retirement attitude marital status, age, subjective health status, assets satisfaction, job type, job satisfaction and the economic outlook was living after retirement (p <0.05). Conclusion: This study suggested that retirement attitude of korean dental technicians was very important and the preparation must be connected with the social welfare policy.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.391-402
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was survey on future job vision and its pride (self-esteem) of dental technicians. It also investigates the future vision on their major of job (denture) and its awareness to improve the work environment and enhance their satisfaction towards job and duties. Methods: In order to research job and its duty satisfaction of dental technicians who mainly work at denture part, certified questionnaire was modified and upgraded for its use. Collected documents were used by 'Window SAS 8.0 Program' for analysis. The significance of the test related to the items and its standards has been decided for p<0.05. To find out the differences between choices when choosing career and the duty satisfaction, t-test, one-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA have been used. Results: Following research findings show: 1. There was high self-esteem towards the job as dental technicians but low in future job vision. 2. It has been found that if satisfaction on their job (dental technician) is high then also their satisfaction on its duty (denture part) is high. 3. The factors that affects mostly on duty satisfaction of denture part are 'the contribution on improving oral cavity of people'(${\beta}$=0.33118), 'The possibility of growth of person's job choices'(${\beta}$=0.30035) and 'person's satisfaction on choosing job'(${\beta}$=0.16069). 4. If there is an increase level on the contribution of improving people's oral cavity, the possibility of growth of person's job choices and the person's satisfaction on choosing job, then there is also high growth in denture part's duty satisfaction. 5. It has been found that if there are more employment histories of denture part, the duty satisfaction of denture part were also high. On the other hand, the more employment history of dental technicians get, the duty satisfaction of their denture part was low. Conclusion: Following research results show that there is high self-esteem towards the job as dental technicians but the vision towards future was low. This shows that there is no bright future on dental technology. Therefore, it is important that not only to improve the work environment and pay rise on dental technologists but also to satisfy them. Various program developments and continuous research are needed to increase satisfaction.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.105-119
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• 2008

This study explored the status of free time activities among the dental technicians who are working at Seoul, Gyonggido, and Gangwondo. On the basis of this research, we aim to present needs and applicable solutions to improve the working conditions and enhance the quality of life through more effective time management in free time activities that lead to their self development and far more enriched life. 500 subjects were randomly chosen and the questionary sheets were provided. Among them, 305 sheets were returned to be analysed through SPSS Win 10.0 software and the results are as follows; First, mean in the satisfaction of leisure activities was 3.44(SD=.73). Mean in sub categories was as follows; psychological factor(M=3.65, SD=.71), social factor(M=3.54, SD=.75), rest factors(M=3.52, SD=.63), physical factor(M=3.43, SD=.88), other factors(M=3.40, SD=.66), circumstantial factor(M=3.33, SD=.63), educational factor(M=3.24, SD=.73). Second, the most relevant sub categories in the satisfaction of leisure activities were social, educational, physical, and other circumstantial factors by sequence. Factors that affect leisure activities satisfaction were career and status of health, which shows statistical significance(p<.001). That is to say, contention of this study is that the general characteristics are closely related with and affect the types and the level of satisfaction in leisure activities of the subjects. Considering these results, the dental businesses and the associations of dental technicians should recognize the needs to improve the time management through more efficient cooperations between dentists and back office dental team, systemized working time, and introduction of incentive system among others. On the basis of this appreciation, the dental business should provide more time and various opportunities with the dental technicians. Dental technicians also need to reconsider their appreciations of leisure activities, that is, leisure activities are not just spending time doing something but they refresh them and enable them to be more active and faithful to home and work.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.117-123
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• 2021

Purpose: In this study, an attempt was made to identify the extent of dental technicians' perception of professionalism and examine to what extent the perception of professionalism impacts self-development and professionalism improvement activities. Methods: An online survey was conducted for 391 dental technicians for 20 days (i.e., from October 20 to November 10, 2020). Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to examine the correlation between the independent variable and the dependent variable, and multiple regression analysis was performed to analyze the degree of influence of independent variables on self-development and professionalism improvement activities. Results: As a result of examining the impact of dental technicians' perception of professionalism on self-development and professionalism improvement activities, it was revealed that all four subareas of the perception of professionalism, i.e., professional qualification, professional autonomy, social perception, and the sense of calling, were positively impacted. Conclusion: (1) It is necessary to compare and analyze the differences in the perception of professionalism among various dental technologist groups, prepare programs to improve them, and endeavor to ensure the growth of organizational operating system. (2) Self-development and professionalism improvement activities need to be supported so that dental technologists can immerse themselves in their duties with affections for the organization and contemplate and provide educational programs to workers.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.240-247
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to employ a Q-methodological approach that can understand the characteristics of each type according to the subjective structures of humans, to help understand type-specific characteristics and to provide a basis for creating the image of dental technicians among dental technology students based on the characteristics of each type. Methods: The Q-methodology was used for this study. 120 Q-statements were obtained from a qualitative survey of 120 students of the department of dental technology. To select the Q-sample, the Q-population was categorized by taking several repeated readings. The selected statements were reviewed and revised by experts and 33 Q-samples were finally selected. The data were then analyzed using the PQ method program. Results: Among 42 P specimens, 22 were classified into type 1, 9 types 2, and 11 types 3. "Type 1" recognizes the image of dental technicians positively and optimistically (Z=1.29) (Z=1.74), but it is named "self-development oriented" in the sense that steady self-development must be underpinned (Z=1.37). "Type 2" agreed strongly that they could work for a lifetime without age or gender discrimination (Z=2.09). This type was referred to as "professional-oriented" because the recognition of dental technicians is more focused on "professional." "Type 3" was tagged "pride-oriented," showing the strongest agreement that they can be proud of their job as healthcare workers (Z=1.08). Conclusion: Many studies on such an image should be carried out to determine the importance of occupational images and establish desirable status for dental technicians to continue developing.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.118-123
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• 2023

Purpose: This study proposes measures needed to implement a job-based national practical exam for dental technicians. Methods: For this study, a survey was conducted targeting 244 currently employed individuals. The current national practical test for dental technicians was divided into directions for the job-based practical test, subjects that need improvement among the current practical test subjects, items that need to be reflected in the practical test evaluation for each subject, and subjects that need to be added to the practical test. It comprised ten questions (Cronbach's α=0.801). Results: The following results were obtained. Satisfaction with the current practical test was lower than average. Future improvement should focus on job-based evaluation. The dental ceramic lab technology subject needs to be reorganized urgently, and the tasks that require evaluation for each subject are different. Moreover, if evaluation subjects are added in the future, the introduction of assessment for dental CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) subjects was found to be the most urgent. Conclusion: In this study, the most necessary tasks of the current national practical examination for dental technicians were evaluated and the content needed for future reorganization was investigated. Future tests should be expanded to evaluate critical job areas. Furthermore, it is necessary to open new courses in fields such as CAD/CAM, as they are in high demand in the workplace.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.129-138
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• 2004

The organization to which we belong is the place where we make social relationships, satisfy our desires of self-realization, and accomplish our common object. The emotional and psychological state of individual as well as the whole organization is able to be explained in the concept of morale. The researcher selected a total 238 dental technicians living in seoul, and conducted a research in a period ranging from April 1, 2004, to April1 10, 2004. The researcher analyzed the findings with the aid of SPSS (Statistical package for social sciences). The researcher came to reach the following conclusions on the basis of frequency, percentage, T-test, F-test, and multiple regression. The results of this study were as follows: First, there is a significant difference in recognizing morale due to their age, academic background, their work places, position, part of objective, and working hours(p<.05). Secondly, The researcher there is a significant difference in recognizing due to their social welfare, payment, fair and objective personnel management, enough opportunities of self development, and autonomy(p<.05). Lastly, this study is very limited in generalization because it deals with a small part of morale management plans and objectifies very limited organization. But, it is very meaningful in trying to approach morale management plans with an object of dental technicians. It is necessary that dental technicians should make efforts to control themselves.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.89-112
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• 2000

Although dental laboratory technicians are prone to be exposed to various work-related health hazardous materials such as dusts, chemicals, etc., the prevalence and nature of work-related health problems of them have not been a matter of great concern in the field of occupational health service in Korea. The purpose of the present investigation was to describe a collected profile of subjective health symptoms and their attributable factors in Korean dental laboratory technicians. A questionnaire listing five groups of health symptoms and five health symptom-related factors was mailed to randomly selected 1,900 dental laboratory technicians. Among them, 1,344 dental laboratory technicians filled out the questionnaires and returnde them. Five groups of health symptoms included musculoskeletal symptom, dermal symptoms, respiratory symptoms, eys symptoms, and ear symptoms. Five health symptom-related factors were occupational environment-related health risk factors, work history, health related habits and status, use of personal protective equipment and general characteristics. Detailed parameters of health risk factors were work posture, vibration, and chemical or physical hazards such as dust, fume, vapor, solvent, light, and noise for occupational environment-related factors; work place, area, number of employees, work hours, career, work part, and work load for work history; Broca's index, hours of sleep, eating, smoking, alcohol, exercise, health examination, and self assessed health status for health habits and status; face masks, goggles, and so on for use of personal protective equipment, and; age, sex, marital status, and education for general characteristics. Before the start of main survey, a pilot survey was carried out for validity and reliability tests of the questionnaire. All the data obtained were coded and analyzed with PC/SAS 6.12 program. The prevalence of health symptoms was the highest in musculoskelton (87.3%), and followde by eyes (78.9%), respiratory organs (64.3%), ears (57.8%), and skin (52.2%) in descending order. Statistically significant risk factors by multiple logistic regression analyses were sex, health examination, self assessed health status, and hand/finger posture in musculoskeletal symptoms; sex, self assessed health status, career, acid gas, and hand contact with resin mixture in deraml symptoms; Broka's smoking, exercise, self assessed health status, and face mask in respiratory symptoms; sex, hours of sleep, self assessed health status, work hours, work load, plaster dust, inadequate lighting, and goggle in eys symptoms, and eating, smoking, self assessed health status, and work load in ear symptoms. With the above considerations in mind, prevalence of subjective symptoms among Korean dental laboratory technicians was relatively high, and they were attributable to most of the occupational environment-related factors, work history, use of personal protective equipment, health habits and status, and general characteristics. Particularly, it is suggested that health promotion programs for promoting self- assessed health status and smoking cessation, preventive measures for protection of the female technicians’health, and reducing work load be necessary, since those factors were associated with more than one subjective symptom.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.35-47
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to make dental technicians recognize the importance of their professional self-concept, and to provide basic data to devise the educational programs and policies of establishing their positive professional self-concept. In addition, the investigator tried to present some improvement measures for dental technicians' actual services by examining their job satisfaction. Study findings are as follows: First, the score of study subjects' self-concept is 3.41($\pm$.58) (perfect score=5), middle or high in rank. As for the mean score of professional self-concept by realms, the self-concept of communication is 3.59($\pm$.67), the highest; the self-concept of leadership in the realm of professional service is 3.54($\pm$.75); the self-concept of skills is 3.50($\pm$.75); the self-concept of adaptability is 3.47($\pm$.69); and the recognizant level of satisfactory self-concept is 2.95($\pm$.81), below the normal. Second, as for the difference of professional self-concept according to general characteristics, such variables as age, marital states, and the length of one's service have a significant influence upon the recognition of self-concept. First, the self-concept of those whose age is between 31 and 35 is the highest (3.64$\pm$.49), and it is followed by that of those whose age is 36 and above (3.57$\pm$.77) and then that of those whose age is between 26 and 30 (3.31$\pm$.56)). And that of those whose age is below 25 is the lowest. The obove results show us that the professional self-concept of older study subjects is higher than that of younger ones in general(p<.01). As for marital states, that of married persons(3.54$\pm$.64) is higher than that of unmarried ones(3.35$\pm$.55)(p<.05). As for the length of one's service, that of longtime employees is higher than that of short-period workers(p<.01). In relation to positions, a manager's professional self-concept is the highest(3.89$\pm$.55) and that of an assistant technician is the lowest(3.17$\pm$.58). Study findings show that the professional self-concept of higher ranking technicians is higher than that of lower ones in general (p<.001). Based on the study findings, the investigator suggests followings: First, studies on the professional self-concept that is appropriate to the characteristics of dental technicians must be carried out with a new point of view. Second, a tool must be researched and developed in order for the professional self-concept of dental technicians to be measured. Third, if a new professional self-concept is established and a measuring tool is developed, a study on the relationship between dental technicians' professional self-concept and practice performance can be carried out again.

• Journal of Technologic Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.159-170
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• 2011

Purpose: This study were to analyze satisfaction with job ability development training among Dental Technicians', examine the degree of their actual satisfaction with training courses and their status, and provide some basic data to help improve the quality level, satisfaction, and effective operation of job ability development training in the future. Methods: This study carried out self-administered questionnaire survey from January 15, 2011 to March 10 by having research subjects as 180 dental technicians who participated in the course of employees' Job Ability Development Training by 'Gil Occupational Training Institute,' which is being conducted as part of dental technicians' job ability development in Seoul region. Among these things, 160(88.8%) copies were collected. Except 19 copies with incomplete response, 141(78.3%) copies were used as the materials of final analysis. Results: First of all, as a result of grasping the whole satisfaction with training according to general characteristics, the significant difference was indicated in the whole satisfaction with training depending on gender & age, and voluntary participatory intention. Second, the satisfaction with contents of Job Ability Development Training was in order of helpful level in ability development with 4.10(${\pm}.70$), co-worker's recommendation and a plan for reparticipation with 4.08(${\pm}.77$), consistence with the content goal with 4.07(${\pm}.71$), and reflection of demand with 4.01(${\pm}.70$). Third, examining satisfaction with instructors of Job Ability Development Training, it is being indicated with a little higher score compared to the satisfaction with other items. Fourth, satisfaction with service of supporting learners in job ability development training was shown to be slightly low in all the items. Especially, the convenience of administrative procedure was indicated to be the lowest with 3.52(${\pm}.92$) Fifth, satisfaction with the facility of job ability development training was showing very low satisfaction compared to other satisfaction items. Conclusion: A continuous effort will be needed in order to be possibly strengthened dental laboratory technicians' professionalism and reinforced qualitative level in major ability through offering more educational opportunities and education in good quality.