한국치위생학회

Current conditions of dental hygiene clinical training in Korea and suggestions for improvement

Bok-Yeon  Won   Gye-Won Jang1   Mi-Young Hwang2   Seol-Ak Kim3   Sang-Hwan Oh4   Kyung-Hee Lee5   Jong-Hwa Jang6,*   

대전보건대학교 치위생과
1진주보건대학교 치위생과
2동남보건대학교 치위생과
3여주대학교 치위생과
4건양대학교 의과학대학 치위생학과
5신한대학교 치위생학과
6단국대학교 보건과학대학 치위생학과

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to propose a standardized guideline for clinical training courses among dental hygiene departments of colleges in Korea. This study comparatively evaluated periods and durations of the curricula and specific domains, credits and hours of clinical training classes, and institutions providing practical lessons, and calculated the total credits and hours. Methods: From August 15 to September 15, 2017, a literature review was conducted in dental hygiene departments of 82 schools around the country in order to investigate the current conditions of clinical training in each educational system. Furthermore, 5 colleges were selected from each type of educational system, and their credits and hours for clinical training were analyzed in subjects of practical training for clinical dental hygiene, practical training for dental clinic, practical training for local community dental health, clinical training, and pre-clinical level practical training. The total credits and hours were calculated on the basis of analysis results. Results: The findings revealed that the hours of clinical training classes and hours per credit for practical training in the dental hygiene departments as well as the practical training institutions varied between the colleges. In some cases, the hours of practical training were not indicated. Standardized clinical training in the dental hygiene department was allotted 675 hours, whereas practical training in local community dental health studies was allotted 105 hours, which totaled to 780 allotted hours. Conclusions: There was a significant difference among the colleges in terms of the current conditions of clinical training in the dental hygiene department. The literature review revealed that a total of 780 hours was allotted to clinical training, and this was significantly more than the standard (500 hours) set by the . Moreover, these clinical training hours were lower than in advanced countries or other health and medical treatment occupations. Therefore, efficient improvement is required in order to provide a timely guideline for clinical training.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. Status of grade and semester of clinical practice education in dental hygiene