Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction of Clinical Dental Hygienists / 치위생과학회지

This study attempted to identify factors work environment that affect job satisfaction in dental hygienists. This study was conducted between August 29 and September 28, 2017, as part of an in-depth study of the ‘Survey on the Working Environment of Clinical Dental Hygienists’ of the Korean Dental Hygienists Association. To get the responses, the questionnaire was posted on the website of the Korean Dental Hygienists Association, and of the respondents, 4,663 were selected and analyzed. An independent t-test and one way ANOVA analysis were used to make a comparison of job satisfaction according to the general characteristics, salary, and tasks. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors affecting job satisfaction. The significance level was 0.05. In regard to salary information, the job satisfaction was found to be high (p < 0.001) in cases where the salary was considered appropriate, when incentives were provided, when rewards or vacation expenses were supported, and when overtime and nightly work allowances were paid. In regard to job information, the job satisfaction was found to be high (p < 0.001) when the volume of work was considered appropriate, when there were sufficient numbers in the workforce, and when the division of labor among the other personnel was clear. As a factor affecting job satisfaction of dental hygienists, the case of thinking that ‘workload is appropriate’ was found to be 2.052 times, showing the highest score. Job satisfaction in dental hygienists affects the turnover and has a significant effect on the performance of the organization. Therefore, it is believed, that it is urgent to improve the working environment such as salary and clear division of duties affecting job satisfaction of dental hygienists.

Relevance of Dental Health Capacity and Pulmonary Function Status in Adults / 치위생과학회지

The purpose of this study was to confirm the relevance of dental health capacity and pulmonary function status. The subjects of this study were adults aged 40 years and older, who participated in pulmonary function and oral examinations. The data used for this study were raw data from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013~2015). Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of complex sample survey data. The results were as follows: First, restrictive and obstructive patterns were more prevalent among males than females. They were even worse in older subjects. Approximately 67% of smokers had obstructive pattern. Second, there was a relevance between dental health capacity and pulmonary function status. The functioning teeth index, number of present teeth, and number of sound teeth (ST), which are indicators of dental health, declined with decreased pulmonary function. The number of missing teeth (MT) increased as the pulmonary function deteriorated (p<0.05). Third, the relevance between dental health capacity and pulmonary function status after stratifying the life-long smoking experience was statistically significant in the tissue health (T-health) index and ST among non-smokers. The relevance between dental health capacity and pulmonary function status after stratifying the life-long smoking experience was statistically significant (p<0.05) for the T-health index, ST, and MT among smokers. However, there was no relevance between dental health capacity and pulmonary function status after stratifying the life-long smoking experience and adjusting confounding variables. In conclusion, there was a relevance between dental health capacity and pulmonary function status after confounding variables were adjusted. However, there was no relevance between dental health capacity and pulmonary function status after stratifying the life-long smoking experience and adjusting confounding variables.

Influence of Stress on Oral Health Practice of High School Students / 치위생과학회지

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the self-perceived stress of high school students on their oral health care and the relationship between stress and oral health care. The subjects in this study were the students in four different high schools located in Chungcheongnam-do, on whom a self-administered survey was conducted. The answer sheets from 939 respondents were analyzed by PASW Statistics ver.18.0 for Windows. The girls were more stressed than the boys about their studies, appearance and material resource, and the sophomores felt more stress about their home and studies. The group whose academic achievement was good in the past semester had the lowest stress about home and material resource, and the group whose economic standard was higher were less stressed about appearance and material resource. As a result of comparing their oral health care by general characteristics, the groups who were sophomores and whose academic achievement was good in the past semester were most excellent in that regard, and the students whose economic standard was higher and whose average weekly allowances were larger took better care of their oral health. Concerning the influential factors for oral health care, stress about peer relationship was positively related, and stress about material resource was negatively related. Given the findings of the study, the development of oral health care programs that include how to relieve stress is required, and more intensive education is necessary as well. Besides, education for school personnel in charge of student health management and the development of related manuals are both required.