Abstract
Objectives: This study was performed in order to provide evidence-based data for the expected professional impact of dental hygienists, and to apply and disclose the comprehensive dental hygiene care process through an in-depth analysis of their scaling experience and investigation of the importance of an evidence-based scaling work performance. Methods: The data were collected from June 3, 2019 to October 3, 2019 by conducting in-depth individual interviews on 10 dental hygienists who are working in dental clinics and hospitals by region. The data were analyzed by using the grounded theory methodology, which is a field of qualitative research method. Results: Study results showed that the core category derived from the paradigm model and change process in this study was ‘a process of becoming a mature professional outside practical work’. Conclusions: In this study, the participants were able to gain a sense of occupational accomplishment as dental hygienists by performing scaling based on the comprehensive dental hygiene care (CDHC) process, and to advance into professionals through continuous efforts and research in order to enhance their job competencies.
Figures & Tables
Fig. 1. Dental hygienist's scaling experience according to grounded theory paradigm
