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.