한국치위생학회

Current status of continuing education and related factors in dental hygienists

Yeo-Jung Han   Mi-Ah Han1,*   Jong Park1   So-Yeon Ryu1   Seong-Woo Choi1   Sang-Eun Moon2   

Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Chosun University
1Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine Chosun University
2Department of Dental Hygiene, Kwangju Women's University

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the factors related to the completion status of continuing education and to help develop professional ability by presenting improvement directions. Methods: A questionnaire survey involving 500 dental hygienists working at 155 dental clinics in Gwang-ju was conducted between June 19 and July 29, 2017. Descriptive analysis, chi-square tests, and t-tests were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 21.0 for Windows. Finally, to investigate the factors related to the completion of continuing education, logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: The odds ratio (OR) was higher in the group with more than 16 years of total work carrier (OR=3.40, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.22–9.45) than that in the group with 1–5 years of work carrier. Groups receiving information from associations (OR=5.35, 95% CI=1.74–16.40), groups that directly search for information (OR=6.53, 95% CI=1.84–23.12), and groups receiving information from colleagues (OR=3.55, 95% CI=1.17–10.77) had higher ORs than groups receiving no information. The OR was higher in the group receiving cost support for participation (OR=2.20, 95% CI=1.06–4.55) than the group receiving no support. Regarding total education completion status in 2012–2014, groups that completed grades 1–7 (OR=2.51, 95% CI=1.35–4.64) and those that completed grade 8 or higher (OR=14.37, 95% CI=7.68–26.89) had higher ORs than groups who received no education. Conclusions: The rate of completion of continuing education can be increased by reviewing the course contents, publicity activities, and cost of continuing education.

Figures & Tables

Table 1. Participation and completion of continuing education rate