KJC Korea
Journal Central

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the definitions, types, and principles of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and scanners due to the introduction of digital workflows. Methods: This study was based on information from the government’s law and articles published in academic journals. Results: CAD/CAM is a technology that measures the shape three-dimensionally, saves it as data, designs it into the desired shape, and processes the product. Scanners, which are classified as intraoral and extraoral scanners, measure teeth and the intraoral environment three-dimensionally and convert them into three-dimensional (3D). A 3D printer is a machine that creates a 3D object by layering materials based on a 3D drawing. It can be classified into four types according to the method: extrusion, powder bonding, lamination, and photopolymerization methods. The most used 3D printer methods in dentistry are stereolithograhpy and digital light processing, and they are widely used in prosthetic, surgical, and orthodontic fields. Conclusions: As the dental system is digitized, it is expected that the government will classify the dental hygienist scope of work and the universities will reflect the curriculum; it is necessary to develop excellent dental hygienists, diversify the educational pathways, and establish policies to meet the needs of the increasing number of patients.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide basic data that would inform the direction of oral rehabilitation and how to expand of the role of dental hygienists in Japan. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted on the role of dental hygienists in the field of oral rehabilitation in Japan. Results: Japan has been making academic and practical developments in the field of oral rehabilitation for over 30 years, and has been gradually implementing a fee support policy since the 1990s. In addition, Japan has been operating a dental hygienist system specializing in oral rehabilitation since 2006. The related work was being carried out with the dental hygienist’s expertise in the field of rehabilitation medical treatment secured. Dental hygienists work full-time at long-term care facilities for the elderly in addition to conducting oral care activities under the local comprehensive care system, in the areas of convalescence and acute rehabilitation, as well as in the field of visiting rehabilitation. It can be seen that, in the field of nursing care, they are specialized in oral care tasks for the elderly. Conclusions: In the future, a policy and related fee system should be gradually prepared to expand the role of dental hygienists in the field of oral rehabilitation that can contribute to improving oral health linked to systemic diseases.

Objectives: The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in changes in the instructional methods used in kindergartens and daycare centers to prevent viral infections. This study aimed to investigate the changes in oral health care for children before and during COVID-19 and the perceptions of kindergarten and daycare center teachers about oral health care. Methods: The study subjects were 189 teachers of kindergartens and daycare centers in charge of children aged 3 to 5. The data for the analysis were collected through an online survey. Frequency analysis and the chi-squared test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Compared to before COVID-19, the frequency of tooth brushing after lunch, the number of oral health education and regular oral examinations, and the rate of childcare teachers’ experiences with oral health education had decreased during COVID-19. In addition, educators in kindergarten and daycare centers responded that an oral health officer at a public health center was the most desirable oral health educator. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the oral health care of children in kindergartens and daycare centers has declined. Efforts are needed to restore it by educating people about oral hygiene care and oral health education, both at home and in kindergartens and daycare centers.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze research trends in dental hygiene using topic modeling and semantic network analysis. Methods: A total of 261 published studies were collected 686 key words from the Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) by 2019-2021. Topic modeling and semantic network analysis were performed using Textom. Results: The most frequently and frequency-inverse document frequently key words were ‘dental hygienist’, ‘oral health’, ‘elderly’, ‘periodontal disease’, ‘dental hygiene’. N-gram of key words show that ‘dental hygienist-emotional labor’, ‘dental hygienist-elderly’, ‘dental hygienist-job performance’, ‘oral health-quality of life’, ‘oral health-periodontal disease’ etc. were frequently. Key words with high degree centrality were ‘dental hygienist (0.317)’, ‘oral health (0.239)’, ‘elderly (0.127)’, ‘job satisfaction (0.057)’, ‘dental care (0.049)’. Extracted topics were 5 by topic modeling. Conclusions: Results from the current study could be available to know research trends in dental hygiene and it is necessary to improve more detailed and qualitative analysis in follow-up study.

Objectives: This study aimed to study the association between unmet dental treatment and depression in the dental area of the elderly. Methods: The data was from the 7th period of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between depression and unmet dental treatment when confounding factors such as income quintile and smoking were considered. Statistical software, SAS 9.4 version was used. Results: After correcting all confounding factors, the analysis showed that the experience of unmet dental treatment was 2.73 times more likely among depressed men and 2.52 times more likely among depressed women (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that we should consider that depression in the elderly can affect unmet dental treatment regardless of gender.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the factors related to non-use of interdental care products (ICP) in adolescents. Methods: The 2019 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey was used, examining 57,303 subjects. Complex-sample chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify differences in ICP according to sociodemographic characteristics and oral health behavior and to determine the factors related to non-use. Results: The ICP non-use rate was 70.9%. Factors related to the non-use of ICP were middle or low economic status (OR=1.367 and 1.677). The other significant variables were less than one tooth brushing per day (OR=1.542), no scaling within 12 months (OR=1.631), and receiving dental treatment either once or two times or more (OR=1.757 and 2.195). Conclusions: To increase the ICP usage rate, continuous attention is needed from schools and families in addition to interventions at the national level.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting periodontal disease-related symptoms in adolescents using raw data from the 16th (2020) online survey on adolescent health. Methods: Data were collected from the survey entries, and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0. A multi-sample chi-square test was performed to determine periodontal disease-related symptoms according to demographic characteristics, lifestyles, exercise habits, and psychological factors. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors affecting periodontal disease-related symptoms. Results: Periodontal disease-related symptoms were higher in female, high school-age adolescents, and those with lower economic status. Increased alcohol intake, having breakfast 3 days or less a week, ingesting sweet drinks and fast food three or more times a week, and zero water intake were found to have a greater effect on periodontal disease-related symptoms. Higher levels of stress, fewer hours of sleep, and feeling less healthy were also factors leading to increased periodontal disease-related symptoms. Conclusions: Adolescents have various factors that are associated with periodontal disease. A method to reduce rates of periodontal disease in adolescents should be developed, along with a school oral health education program.

Objectives: This study aimed to design a CRA questionnaire specifically for Korean children and adolescents based on the results of two Delphi survey completed by dental professionals. Methods: Based on the CAMBRA® CRA tool, updated in 2019, we constructed a questionnaire on the oral environment and behavior of children and adolescents. Then, the CVR and I-CVI were evaluated using the results of the first and second Delphi surveys involving 20 professionals. Results: After the first Delphi survey, six items were considered invalid because their CVR and I-CVI were below the recommended values of 0.42 and 0.78, respectively. After receiving feedback from the professional panels, nine items were removed. In the second Delphi survey, the questionnaire contained a total of 21 items, all of which showed good CVR and I-CVI. After modifications based on the opinions of professional panels, the questionnaire was finalized to have 21 questions. Conclusions: The finalized questionnaire with 21 items, based on the opinions of professional panels, showed excellent CVR and I-CVI for all the items. Structured programs with updated guidelines must be developed for Korean children and adolescents in further studies.

Objectives: This study aimed to verify the degree of clinical practice transition shock, resilience, and academic burnout of dental hygiene students, and analyze factors affecting academic burnout. Methods: From September 1 to September 20, 2022, this study collected data from 201 dental hygiene students who experienced clinical practice, and subsequently conducted a t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS Statistics 22. Results: The transition shock and resilience showed a significantly negative correlation (r=-0.211), transition shock and academic burnout showed a significantly positive correlation (r=0.484), and resilience and academic burnout showed a significantly negative correlation (r=-0.568). Regarding factors affecting academic burnout, academic burnout increased when the transition shock was greater (β=0.263, p <0.001), major satisfaction after clinical practice was lower (β=0.180, p <0.05), and the average grades were lower (β=0.169, p <0.01). Academic burnout decreased when resilience was greater (β=-0.435, p <0.001). Conclusions: To prevent clinical practice transition shock and academic burnout, and to increase the resilience of dental hygiene students, it would be necessary to establish learning strategies, change the educational environment, and establish a systematic clinical practice management program.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the perceptions regarding oral muscle strength training for elder people among dental professionals. Methods: The study participants were selected using non-probability sampling methods, as dentists and dental hygienists with more than 3 years of work experience at dental institutions. A total of 15 participants were selected, including 6 dentists, 4 clinical dental hygienists, and 5 public dental hygienists. Interviews were conducted in June and July 2022, and two focus group interviews were conducted for each group. The first round was face-to-face and the second round was conducted through an online video conference. Results: Through focus group interviews, five factors were obtained; lack of awareness, value of training, factors necessary for implementation, performance status, and obstructive factors. It was found that most study participants had a negative perception regarding the application of oral muscle strength training for elder people due to the lack of information and education on the subject. However, the benefit of oral muscle strength training was positively recognized; adequate educational material, appropriate compensation, adequate time, and availability of patients will be necessary for proper training. Conclusions: It is necessary to improve the perceptions regarding the importance of strengthening oral muscles for the elder people among dentists and dental hygienists. In addition, high-quality educational material that can be easily comprehended and practiced should be developed for effective training.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to provide basic data for elucidating the clinical experiences of nursing assistants working at dental clinics and for establishing the bases necessary for building a safe working environment for the staff at dental clinics. Methods: From March 28 to August 20, 2022, the study conducted in-depth interviews with nursing assistants working with dental hygienists in dental clinics. The collected data were analyzed using the phenomenological method. Results: The study analyzed the meanings associated with the dental clinical assistance work experiences of nursing assistants in dental clinics. A total of 98 semantic words and 9 sub-categories were extracted, which were ultimately categorized into 4 central meanings: ‘imperfect reality’, ‘work without boundaries’, ‘putting oneself in someone else’s shoes’, and ‘symbiosis’. Conclusions: The nursing assistants were exposed to an environment where they needed to perform delegated treatment procedures even when they lacked dental work competency. They recognized their gaps in learning and the necessity for designated roles as clinical assistants. Thus, it is necessary to review the allocation and expansion of the work roles of dental practitioners based on the practical and rational realities in dental practice.