Performance of ChatGPT on the Korean National Examination for Dental Hygienists / 치위생과학회지

Background@#This study aimed to evaluate ChatGPT’s performance accuracy in responding to questions from the national dentalhygienist examination. Moreover, through an analysis of ChatGPT’s incorrect responses, this research intended to pinpoint the predominant types of errors. @*Methods@#To evaluate ChatGPT-3.5’s performance according to the type of national examination questions, the researchers classified 200 questions of the 49th National Dental Hygienist Examination into recall, interpretation, and solving type questions. The researchers strategically modified the questions to counteract potential misunderstandings from implied meanings or technical terminology in Korea. To assess ChatGPT-3.5’s problem-solving capabilities in applying previously acquired knowledge, the questions were first converted to subjective type. If ChatGPT-3.5 generated an incorrect response, an original multiple-choice framework was provided again. Two hundred questions were input into ChatGPT-3.5 and the generated responses were analyzed.After using ChatGPT, the accuracy of each response was evaluated by researchers according to the types of questions, and the types of incorrect responses were categorized (logical, information, and statistical errors). Finally, hallucination was evaluated when ChatGPT provided misleading information by answering something that was not true as if it were true. @*Results@#ChatGPT’s responses to the national examination were 45.5% accurate. Accuracy by question type was 60.3% for recall and 13.0% for problem-solving type questions. The accuracy rate for the subjective solving questions was 13.0%, while the accuracy for the objective questions increased to 43.5%. The most common types of incorrect responses were logical errors 65.1% of all. Of the total 102 incorrectly answered questions, 100 were categorized as hallucinations. @*Conclusion@#ChatGPT-3.5 was found to be limited in its ability to provide evidence-based correct responses to the Korean nationaldental hygiene examination. Therefore, dental hygienists in the education or clinical fields should be careful to use artificial intelligence-generated materials with a critical view.

A Study on the Awareness of Dental Hygienists on Maternity Protection and Work-Family Balance Assistance Policy / 치위생과학회지

Background@#This study investigated the awareness and utilization of maternity protection and work-family balance supportpolicies among dental hygienists in dental hospitals and clinics. @*Methods@#We surveyed 200 dental hygienists. Twenty-two who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded, leaving 178participants for analysis. The self-administered 48-item questionnaire gathered information on demographics, workplace details, policy awareness, government knowledge, and suggestions for improvement. @*Results@#Awareness of maternity and family support programs significantly differed with age, marital status, number of children,and clinical experience. Dental hygienists in general hospitals and university hospitals reported greater ease of utilizing these policies compared to those in dental clinics. Among the participants, 27.7% took pre- and post-maternity leave, 26.6% took parental leave, 16.9% had reduced working hours during pregnancy, 15.8% had reduced working hours during childhood,and 8.5% during family leave. To promote program uptake, participants suggested mandatory implementation across workplaces (68.4%), expanded support for substitute workers (48.6%), and increased education and promotion of government support (42.4%). @*Conclusion@#While most dental hygienists were aware of the Maternity Protection and Work-Family Balance Assistance Policy,utilizing it proved challenging due to several factors. Organizational policies or practices may not fully implement this policy, while workplace culture could discourage its use. Unfair treatment and the lack of available substitutes further hindered access. To prevent career interruptions for dental hygienists due to pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, and family care, and to maintain career continuity, the dental community and government should establish a multifaceted social support system. This system should prioritize several key areas: strengthening policy promotion, fostering a family-friendly atmosphere, improving management and supervision of policy implementation and developing a robust support system for substitute personnel.

Dental Hygienist-Led Dental Hygiene Process of Care for Self-Support Program Participants in Gangneung / 치위생과학회지

This study aimed to provide basic data for establishing the clinical basis for dental hygienist-led dental hygiene process of care by identifying multiple risk factors for self-support program participants in Gangneung city; we also compared oral health status and behavioral changes through customized oral health care. Four dental hygienists who were evaluated for degree of conformity provided dental hygiene process of care to eight self-support program participants who were selected as having an oral health risk among people in the self-support center. The clinical indicators measured during dental hygiene assessment and evaluation and behavioral changes due to dental hygiene intervention were compared and analyzed. With respect to clinical indicators, at the time of probe, the retention rate of patients with gingival bleeding decreased from 61.4% to 14.7% after intervention (p=0.004). Furthermore, the retention rate of patients with a periodontal pocket >4 mm decreased from 15.6% to 5.8% (p=0.001). The average modified O'Leary index of the patients improved from 23 to 40 (p=0.002). Previously, all eight subjects used the vertical or horizontal method of brushing; after dental hygiene care interventions regarding method and frequency of toothbrushing, use of oral care products, and individual interventions, they started using the rolling or Bass method of toothbrushing. Four of eight subjects reported using interdental toothbrushes after intervention. As a result of applying the change model to the transtheoretical behavior change of the subject, the result of strengthening the health behavior was confirmed. For promotion of oral health by the prevention-centered incremental oral health care system, dental hygienist-led dental hygiene management and maintenance is essential. It is thought that continuous research, such as for feasibility evaluation, cost benefit analysis, and preparation of legal systems, is needed to establish and activate dental hygiene management.

Impact of Socioeconomic, Behavioral and Psychological Factors for Children's Self-Reported Oral Symptoms / 치위생과학회지

This study investigated factors affecting the subjective experience of oral symptoms among 2,285 elementary school students in the fourth and sixth grades using the Korean survey on the Health of Youth and Children in 2010. After conducting chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests, we performed multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the factors affecting children's experience of oral symptoms. We found that the factors most frequently associated with the subjective experience of more oral symptoms were lower tooth brushing frequency, greater intake of foods that cause dental caries, higher stress levels, and lower levels of support from friends. In conclusion, determinants of children's oral health, such as children's oral health behaviors and psychological factors must be considered in a multifaceted approach to developing programs to promote oral health among children.