A study on the needs of independent dental hygiene practices in the public dental hygienists

Young-Eun Jang   Sun-Su Heo1   Eun-Kyeong Kim2   Nam-Hee Kim3,*   

Graduate School of Dental Hygiene, Yonsei University
1Cheoin-gu Health Center
2Geo-Je Health Center
3Department of Dental Hygiene, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the needs of independent dental hygiene practices in the Korean public dental hygienists. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional survey study. 159 Korean public dental hygienists were selected by simple random sampling on March 10, 2017. 133 public dental hygienists were participated, after excluding 26 hygienists who showed insufficient responses. The respondents were asked to select one of the following options to reflect their needs: direct supervision, indirect supervision, and independent dental hygiene practice. Results: The results showed that the public dental hygienists wanted both public oral health practices (62.5%) and assistance in preventive dental treatments (63.4%) to be performed independently. Conclusions: The public dental hygienists were required to independently perform oral health education and fluoride mouth rinsing projects. Dental hygienists should improve their capability of independently practicing dental hygiene first, and then indicators. It should be established and measured to evaluate their competency in this respect. Legal protection should be considered for independent dental hygiene practices.

Acknowledgements

이 연구는 2016년 대한치과위생사협회 보건회의 연구비를 지원받아서 수행하였음.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. General characteristics of the subjects