KJC Korea
Journal Central

Objectives: Although the number of clinics offering temporomandibular joint (TMJ) physical therapy has been increasing to help with its treatment, the scope of dental physiotherapy reflected in the dental hygienist curriculum is very limited. This study aims to survey the status of dental physiotherapy work and the need for educating dental hygienists. Methods: An online community platform was used to survey 140 dental hygienists working in clinical dental hospitals. The survey included questions about general characteristics, the experience of dental physiotherapy work, the importance of physiotherapy work performance, and the need for physical therapy education for dental hygienists. Results: Half of the study participants had prior experience working in dental physiotherapy. Out of 140 participants, 88.6% agreed with the opinion that ‘physical therapy work is important or that it will become important’. Furthermore, 84.3% agreed that ‘physical therapy education is necessary for dental hygienists’. Even dental hygienists without physical therapy experience (50.7%) believed that related education would be necessary because of the importance of physical therapy work in dentistry. Conclusions: This study suggests the need for education in dental physiotherapy to help dental hygienists effectively perform clinical tasks.

Objectives: This study aims to confirm the educational necessity and utilization of VR media. And it was conducted to prepare basic data necessary for the use of VR in various dental hygiene education in the future and the development of innovative practical training courses. Methods: Before and after using VR in oral radiology practice classes, learning interest (4 items), learning commitment (9 items), learning motivation (5 items), educational media preference (4 items), and satisfaction (10 items) were investigated and analyzed. Friedman two way ANOVA by ran a nonparametric analysis corresponding to repeated measures ANOVA was performed. The statistical significance level was 0.05. Results: It was found that there were statistically significant differences in learning interest, learning immersion, and learning motivation according to the type of oral radiology practice education medium (p<0.05). Conclusions: VR is expected that the use of learning media using VR will lead to students’ interest, immersion, and learning motivation in class, and that positive learning effects on VR education media can be sufficiently obtained.

Objectives: This study aimed to confirm the association between cognitive function and oral health status in the elderly. Methods: In this study, 5,794 respondents, aged 55 or older, who had participated in the 7th aging research panel survey were used. Statistical analyses were performed using a complex samples cross-tabulation analysis, complex samples general linear model, and a complex sample multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: After analyzing the cognitive function of the elderly according to their oral health conditions, it was found that suspicions of dementia (19.6%) and cognitive function decline (25.9%) were more common for those who wore dentures than for those who did not wear dentures (p<0.001). Compared to those who did not wear dentures, those who wore dentures were linked to a 1.665 times higher suspicion of dementia (p<0.001). In comparison, cognitive decline was 0.964 times lower when the number of natural teeth increased by 1, and it was 0.941 times lower when the oral health evaluation index for the elderly increased by 1 point (p<0.001). Conclusions: As a result of this study, it was confirmed that cognitive function and oral health status are related in the elderly. Therefore, systematic measures for oral health management and oral health promotion should be prepared in tandem with awareness of possible cognitive decline in the elderly.

Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze the relationship between smoking and denture wear in the elderly individuals aged 65 years and older, and a total of 3,112 people were included. Methods: A complex sample chi-square test was performed for denture wear according to general, smoking, and smoking-related characteristics. Factors related to denture wear were assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Among non-smokers, present smokers were 4.192 times more likely to wear dentures, and former smokers were 2.195 times more likely to wear dentures. The average number of daily past smokers was 0.564 times less likely to wear dentures if they smoked 15 cigarettes or less per day. Conclusions: Smoking among the elderly and wearing dentures are related, and it is necessary to develop and utilize a smoking cessation education program considers socioeconomic characteristics.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between pit and fissure sealants of the molars, and caries prevalence and experience to assess the effect of sealants on caries prevention. Methods: Data from 16,119 people were extracted from the seventh Korean national health and nutrition examination survey, which was conducted from 2016 to 2018. Demographic, socioeconomic, oral health-related behavioral, and oral examination survey data were collected as independent variables. SAS statistics for complex samples and multiple logistic regression analysis (Windows ver. 9.4) was used for the statistical analyses. Results: Caries prevalence and experience were significantly associated with age, sex, daily toothbrushing frequency, interdental cleaning, and having molar sealant. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between having molar sealants and the caries prevalence and experience among participants under 30 years of age after adjusting socio-economic variables and toothbrushing-related factors. Conclusions: This study confirmed the effect of molar sealants on caries prevention in Korea. Our results support that the application of molar sealants in children, adolescents, and young individuals is effective in preventing caries.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the relationship between oral symptoms and changes in daily life after coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in middle and high school students. Methods: Data were obtained from the 17th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2021). The subjects comprised 53,868 people who responded to survey questions related to this study. Multiple logistic regression analysis with complex samples was performed to identify the correlation between daily life changes and oral symptoms. Results: The analysis showed that compared to the group without changes in daily life after COVID-19, changes in daily life, such as skipping breakfast, drinking, and smoking, either decreased or increased. Furthermore, increase in depression and decreased physical activity and family economic status were related to oral symptoms. Conclusions: It is necessary to develop oral health programs for adolescents suitable for changing situations after COVID-19.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dental hygienists’ grit, job satisfaction, and job commitment on dental hygiene job performance and the mediating effects of job satisfaction and job commitment on the relationship between grit. Methods: From May 25 to June 13, 2022, the researcher collected and analyzed data from 213 dental hygienists working at dental hospitals and clinics. For the data analysis, SPSS Statistics 21.0 was applied to conduct a t-test, one- way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis. Results: Grit was in charge of preventive work (scaling) (3.38±0.56, p<0.05), and the lower the stress (3.39±0.57, p<0.05), the higher the grit. Dental hygiene job performance was higher when they worked in Gwangju, Jeolla-do (3.88±0.50, p<0.01), and dental clinics (3.85±0.53, p<0.01). Job satisfaction (3.45±0.49, p<0.05) and job commitment (3.28±0.56, p<0.05) were high, as they had at least a bachelor’s degree. Less job stress was associated with higher job satisfaction (3.71±0.42, p<0.001) and job commitment (3.52±0.65, p<0.001). Job satisfaction and commitment had partial mediating effects on the relationship between dental hygienists’ grit and job performance. Conclusions: It is necessary to develop a program that helps improve grit in dental hygienists to strengthen their psychological resources, job satisfaction, and job commitment.

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.

Objectives: This study derived the core competencies for developing a curriculum for advanced practice dental hygienists in the elderly. Methods: A Delphi survey was conducted thrice times with 12 subjects engaged in dental hygiene-related activities for the elderly. Results: The item with the highest average in each domain was ‘understanding the elderly (mean=5.00)’ in basic qualities and attitude competency, ‘understanding the oral health characteristics of the elderly (mean=5.00)’ in the job competency, and ‘development and evaluation of oral health programs for the elderly (mean=4.75)’ in job support competency. Conclusions: The core competencies of dental hygienists specializing in the elderly are divided into 3 ‘basic qualifications and attitude competencies’, ‘job competencies’, and ‘job support competencies’ 27 sub-competencies are presented.

Objectives: This study analyzes professional identity, resilience, and job satisfaction based on the personality types of dental hygienists, and identifies factors that impact job satisfaction. The aim was to provide basic information for developing customized education programs for each personality type, which consequently contribute toward improvement of job satisfaction in dental hygienists. Methods: A total of 215 dental hygienists working at dental hospitals and clinics in the Seoul and Gyeonggi provinces were ask to fill an online survey from June 20 to 30, 2022; of these, 214 surveys were considered for statistical analysis. Results: The professional identity of dental hygienists was correlated with resilience (r=0.750) and job satisfaction (r=0.452), and resilience was correlated with job satisfaction (r=0.539) (p<0.001). The factor affecting job satisfaction of dental hygienists was resilience (β=0.495) (p<0.001). Conclusions: In order to improve the job satisfaction of dental hygienists, it is necessary to implement a test that can identify individual characteristics. Accordingly, it will be necessary to develop a customized education program to improve professional identity and resilience.

Objectives: This study aims to provide data that will improve the scope of national health insurance coverage by surveying the awareness of health insurance benefits, specifically for implants and dentures, among dental workers. Methods: Information was collected through questionnaires completed by 194 dental workers at dental hospitals and clinics. The multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to confirm influential factors in recognizing the health insurance benefits application for dentures and implants. Results: Regarding the awareness about the validity of health insurance benefits, satisfaction with the appropriateness on the subjects of the denture application and implant application are appeared to be high with each 3.369 and 3.673. Regarding satisfaction with the appropriateness of free post-maintenance for implants, the awareness level regarding the validity of health insurance benefits was indicated as high at 3.673. Conclusions: The categories and levels of appropriate insurance benefits must be restructured continuously.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity of Alzheimer’s dementia patients and recognize the necessity and importance of oral prevention management. Methods: The participants comprised 40 dementia patients aged 60 years or older and general patients who were using nursing care facilities in Gwangju from February to July 2017. Samples were collected with Eazyperio products for oral pathogenic microbial testing. Eighteen types of bacteria could be detected by analyzing Multiplex-Quantity Real Time polymerase chain reaction at a genetic testing agency. Results: The study comprised more women than men. Most participants were in their 80s. Statistically significant differences were observed in some oral pathogenic microorganisms. Conclusions: Pathogenic microorganisms could more easily proliferate in the oral cavities of Alzheimer’s dementia patients than they could among general elderly participants due to a lack of awareness of oral hygiene and prevention management. To improve this, it is considered necessary to deploy oral health care professionals.

Objectives: This study aimed to find a way to solve oral health inequality in old age by understanding the effect of the socioeconomic level of the elderly on oral health. Methods: We used data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A chi-square test was performed to investigate differences in oral health according to socioeconomic status and demographic and oral health-related factors. Socioeconomic status and oral health inequality were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results: The average number of teeth in the elderly was 17.20, which is insufficient for the minimum number of teeth required for mastication. In the analysis of the correlation between socioeconomic status and oral health inequality, education level, income level, and home ownership were factors influencing the oral health of the elderly; education level was found to have the strongest effect. Conclusions: Oral health inequality according to socioeconomic status was confirmed, and it is necessary to measure the level of oral health inequality with active efforts at the government level to resolve the gap in oral health by social class.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the opinions of registered dental hygienists (RDH) and dental hygiene students (DHS), professionals who can practice visiting oral health care (VOHC), and the demand for specialized training courses of RDH for VOHC. Methods: Using a Google online survey, 125 RDH and 106 DHS personnel were surveyed on their perception of VOHC and the operation of special training courses. Results: RDH (97.6%) and DHS (96.1%) agreed that they needed VOHC for older people. Moreover, the qualification course for specialized training for VOHC was considered necessary. Regarding the appropriate curriculum, RDH preferred training programs comprising 2-hours classes over 6 months and 15 weeks and so on, and DHS preferred 3 hours classes over 6 months and 15 weeks and so on. Regarding the desired working type, the RDH preferred the half-day system, whereas the DHS preferred the alternate-day system. The Korean Dental Hygienists Association was intended for human resource development. They agreed that continuing education was necessary when working as a visiting RDH, and many responded that they would participate if a specialized training course was opened. Conclusions: RDH and DHS have a high level of awareness of the importance and necessity of VOHC, and consider a specialized training qualification course necessary for efficient VOHC.

Objectives: In this study 54,848 people were selected as participants to investigate the relationship between oral health factors and eating habits education experiences of adolescents using raw data from the 17th (2021) online survey on adolescent health behavior. Methods: Data were collected using the IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 statistical program was used. A multi-sample chi- square test was performed on the dietary education experience according to the general characteristics of the subjects. Logistic regression analysis was performed on factors affecting the eating habits education experience. Results: Eating breakfast and consuming fruits was more frequent among eating habits (p<0.001). Regarding factors influencing dietary habits education, in the case of eating habits education experience, sealant was 1.23 times higher (p<0.001), and tingling & throbbing were 0.93 times lower (p<0.01). Conclusions: Educating adolescents on correct eating habits is related to oral health, hence a school based oral health education program related to eating habits is necessary for adolescents.

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of professional self-concept and ethical awareness of dental hygiene (department) students attending a university located in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do on patients’ willingness to protect personal information. Methods: Professional self-concept, ethical disposition, and patients’ personal information protection intention according to general characteristics were analyzed using t-tests and one-way ANOVA. After confirming the correlation through Pearson’s correlation analysis, the effect on the patient’s personal information protection intention was confirmed using multiple regression analysis. Results: Professional self-concept, ethical disposition, and the patients’ willingness to protect personal information all showed positive correlations. The higher the communication skills of professional self-concept and the higher the idealism of ethical orientation, the higher the patients’ willingness to protect personal information. Conclusions: This study, ascertained the effect of dental hygiene students’ professional self-concept and ethical consciousness on patients’ personal information protection practices. The results suggest that it is necessary to develop an educational program that can enhance the practice of dental hygienists to protect patients’ personal information, and to develop and conduct continuous policy development and research.

Objectives: This study aimed to provide useful basic data for improving the quality of problem-based learning (PBL) to improve integrated thinking and problem-solving skills in clinical dental hygiene through in-depth exploration of the experiences of dental hygiene students trained in PBL modules. Methods: A total of nine participants were selected based on the grade distribution of clinical dental hygiene. Three participants each were from the upper, middle, and lower groups. A focus group interview (FGI) was conducted using a developed questionnaire. All contents of the recorded FGI were used to draw the main results while maintaining the core contents Results: The themes derived through the FGI were confirmed by ‘advantages of PBL’, ‘competencies developed through PBL’, ‘teamwork experienced in PBL’, ‘required competencies for PBL team activities’, ‘differences in contribution among team members’, ‘satisfaction with PBL’, ‘improvements to PBL’, and ‘trial and error experienced in PBL’. Conclusions: The PBL was a useful for improving the integrated thinking and problem-solving skills of dental hygiene students. Moreover, this study provides useful basic data for the qualitative improvement of the PBL.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of several elder-friendly foods on oral health and suggest guidelines for proper food intake. Methods: Six elderly-friendly foods (liquid type) and two control groups (mineral water and mixed coffee) were selected for this study. The pH of the food was measured using a calibrated pH meter, and the titratable acidity was determined using 1 M NaOH until 7.0 (TA 7.0). The screening method suggested by the International Organization for Standards was performed using an undersaturated hydroxyapatite solution to determine the difference between the initial and final pH of the screening solution (△pH). In addition, the sugar content was measured and expressed as Brix (%). Results: All the elder-friendly foods tested in this study showed a neutral pH (6.68–7.35), similar to mineral water (pH 7.84). The range of TA 7.0 values was 0.00–0.54 ㎖. The changes in pH determined using the screening solution confirmed that the largest change in pH was found in Careon (△pH 1.14±0.02), which has no erosive potential. Nevertheless, all elder-friendly foods had higher sugar content than the negative control group. Conclusions: Low tooth erosive potential was found in elder-friendly foods, but these foods showed high sugar content.