Abstract
Objectives: Since scaling has been covered by insurance, the number of patients undergoing scaling has increased. Simultaneously, legal disputes around scaling have increased. Therefore, this study was aimed at comparing the differences between the perceptions of dental hygienists and patients regarding the scaling procedure and providing dental hygienists with basic data to find ways to reduce disputes arising from these differences. Methods: A survey was conducted on 119 dental hygienists working in Busan and the South Gyeongsang Province and 110 patients who visited hospitals for scaling. Frequency analyses were performed for dental hygienists' scaling behavior and patient discomfort during scaling. The independent t-test and chi-square test were performed to compare the perceptions of dental hygienists and patients regarding the scaling procedure. Results: Polishing after scaling was performed according to 70.1% of dental hygienists but only 29.9% of patients. Oral health education was provided according to 20.4% of dental hygienists, while 79.6% of patients said that they received oral health education at the Dentiform. The scaling time was reported to be shorter by patients than by dental hygienists. Both dental hygienists and patients said that legal action was required if problems occurred during scaling, and the refund standard was that patients needed it more than dental hygienists. Conclusions: There are differences between the perceptions of dental hygienists and patients regarding scaling. Dental hygienists should identify these differences and try to prevent conflicts or disputes with patients around scaling.
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