한국치위생학회

Factors related to English communication skills in the dental health service process of clinical dental hygienists

Myeong-Hwa  Park1    Jong-Tae Park2,3   Jong-Hwa Jang1,3,4,*   

Department of Oral Health, Graduate School of Health and Welfare, Dankook University
1Department of Oral Anatomy, College of Dentistry, Dankook University
2Dankook Institute for Future Science and Emerging Convergence, Dankook University
3Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Science, Dankook University

Abstract

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. 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%. 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.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. Comparison of English communication skills by demographic and sociological characteristics in dental hygienists    Uint:± Mean SD