Research

The opinions of some local clinical dental hygienists on medical personnel of dental hygienists

Hae-Gyum Ryu1   

Department of Dental Hygiene, Masan University

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the opinions of some local clinical dental hygienists on medical personnel of dental hygienists. it will be for provide the Future dental hygienist basic data necessary for medical personnel. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 171 dental hygienists in Busan and Gyeongnam from December 1, 2017 to January 31, 2018. Structured questionnaires were uesd for analysis. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics of the subjects(7 items), medical personnel necessity and opinions of dental hygienist(2 items), the opinions of distinction of the task between dental hygienists and other personnel(2 items), many frequency task in the dental clinic. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, descriptive statistics and ANOVA using IBM SPSS VER 20.0. Results: 89.5% of the dental hygienists required medical personnel of dental hygienist, the opinions on the necessity were as follows: 'role and quality improvement as oral health professionals', 'lack of legislation and application of dental hygienists duties'. There was no difference reason between dental hygienists and other personnel on duties, the reason were investigated to uncertainty of dental hygienist system, lack of dental hygienist workforce, dentists lack awareness of dental hygienist expertise. There was surveyed by the current many frequency duties in the dental clinic, assist for dental treatment, Oral health education and counselling, Preventive dental treatment. Conclusion: As a result, Legal guarantees for clinical dental hygienists work are absolutely required. Therefore, relevant government agencies and related organizations should resolve the contradiction of the legal system of medical law and medical technicians. The clinical dental hygienists should be promoted to medical personnel through the amendment of the medical law so that the duties practiced by the dental hygienist can be matched with the legal practice.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. General characteristics of the subjects