Abstract
Objectives: This study was conducted to facilitate improvements in career preparation behavior and career development of dental hygiene students by investigating the effects of self-leadership and career decision self-efficacy on the career preparation behavior of dental hygiene students. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 190 dental hygiene students between August 20 to October 31, 2019. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Independent t-test, one way ANOVA, the Scheffe posthoc test, and the Pearson correlation results were reviewed, and a multiple regression analysis was conducted. Results: Self-leadership, career decision self-efficacy, and career preparation behavior were scored 3.29, 3.36, and 2.91 points, respectively. The variables that influenced career preparation behavior were the motion of major select and self-leadership. These factors had 30.5% of variance among dental hygiene students. Conclusions: Institutional support, including counseling and leadership education by professors and students, is needed in schools to improve the career preparation behavior of students majoring in dental hygiene.