Research

A study on the knowledge measurement of dental hygienists about dental waste

Eun Bi Sim1   Hie Jin  Noh1,*   So Jung  Mun1   Won Gyun Jung1   Eun Sil  Choi2   

Department of Dental Hygiene, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine
1Department of Dental Hygiene, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to measure the knowledge of dental hygienists regarding dental waste, and identify the relationship between general characteristics and infection control characteristics. Methods: This study was conducted using a self-reported questionnaire in 250 dental hygienists. The questionnaire consisted of 21 items: storage container (5 items), storage locations (5 items), storage period (9 items), and storage method (3 items). The collected data were analyzed using the t-test and analysis of variance. Results: The education experience of infection management within the last year was reviewed for significant differences among dental hygienists regarding storage container and storage periods (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed regarding the knowledge of storage container, storage locations, storage period, and storage method among the enrolled dental hygienists (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study examined the necessity of developing conservative education and job education programs to improve the knowledge level of dental hygienists regarding dental waste management.

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