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A review of strategies for improving the practical component of the Korean Dental Hygienist National Examination

  • Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
  • Abbr : J Korean Soc Dent Hyg
  • 2026, 26(5), pp.565~573
  • DOI : 10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.5.1
  • Publisher : Korean Society of Dental Hygiene
  • Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > Dentistry
  • Received : August 13, 2026
  • Accepted : October 16, 2026
  • Published : October 30, 2026

Jae-Yeon Jung 1,  임미희 1,  Su-Jin Han 2

1한양여자대학교 치위생과
2가천대학교 의과학대학 치위생학과

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To review the historical development and current operation of the practical component of the Korean Dental Hygienist National Examination, and to analyze its limitations from the perspectives of job- and competency-based assessment. In addition, a phased reform strategy will be proposed based on domestic and international examples. Methods: Institutional development, assessment tasks, and operational procedures of the examination were reviewed. Current issues were analyzed with regards to their relevance to legal and clinical duties, job representativeness, content validity, reliability, and fairness. Practical assessment systems for health professionals in Korea and dental hygienists in the United States and Canada were also examined, with an emphasis on simulation-based assessment. Results: The current examination primarily assesses selected clinical skills and does not sufficiently reflect comprehensive practice competencies. Major concerns include task relevance and representativeness, content validity, inter-rater reliability, and operational fairness. Recommended reforms include implementation of a job- and competency-based system, multimodule practical assessment, standardized scoring and rater training, linkage with university curriculum accreditation, and a phased implementation roadmap. Conclusions: The practical examination should assess the integrated clinical and communication competencies that are required in dental hygiene practice. Patient-simulation-based clinical performance examinations may be gradually introduced following pilot testing and studies on their validity, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and stakeholder acceptability.

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