Construction of training indexes of post competency of dental hygienist / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To construct training indexes of post competency of dental hygienist, and to provide objective basis for the establishment of the index system of the transition from dental nurse to dental hygienist in the future.Methods:The relevant literature of post competency of dental hygienist was searched from the databases such as PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Internet, Wanfang database. The search time was from the establishment of the database to March 2021. The expert letter inquiry questionnaire was designed through preliminary consultation.Delphi expert consultation was conducted for 20 dental experts from Beijing city, Chongqing city, Jiangsu province, Sichuan province, Jilin province from May to November 2021, and model indexes and weight assignment of post competency of dental hygienist were determined.Results:Three rounds of Delphi expert consultation were conducted, the effective recoveries of the questionnaires were 100%, the expert authority coefficients were 0.81, 0.81, 0.83, respectively, the coefficient of variation of expert consultation was 0.000-0.386, 0.000-0.300 and 0.000-0.250, respectively, the coordination degree of expert opinions in the third round of consultation was 0.679, 0.428 and 0.389 (all P<0.01). The formed training indexes of post competency of dental hygienist included 4 first-level indexes, 20 second-level indexes and 60 third-level indexes. Conclusions:The training index system of post competency of dental hygienist in this study is scientific, reliable, and practical, to provide reference for training and assessment of post competency of dental hygienist and objective basis for establishing the indexes system of dental nurse to dental hygienist in the future.

The enlightenment of Japanese dental hygienist system to Chinese stomatology education and clinic / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Dental hygienist is not only an important system of stomatology education, but also an important process of the clinical diagnosis and treatment in Japan. This paper discusses the development and current situation of dental hygienist system in Japan, and mainly introduces the admission requirements, teaching courses, employment status and clinical work, which maybe provide some important references for stomatology education and dental clinic for us in such aspects as specialty setting, talents cultivation and clinical team cultivation.

What Dental Hygienists Learned through Training with Simulated Patient and How They Applied it in Practice? / 医学教育

Introduction: This study aims at investigating what dental hygienists learned through training with a simulated patient and how they applied their learning in practice. Method: Open-ended questionnaire surveys on their perceptions and experiences of health communication were undertaken by 21 dental hygienists before and after communication trainings. Result: Before the training, they felt it difficult to cope with patients’ negative responses to their communication. However, after the training, they deeply considered how they should be as health professional through reflection on their own communication style. In their practice, they tried to communicate while considering the patient’s situation. Discussion: Participants’ critical reflection, which was encouraged in this training, resulted in application of their learning to clinical practice.

Impact of incivility experienced by dental hygienists on organizational achievement-as a mediating effect of emotional exhaustion / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: Workplace incivility is experienced by dental hygienists, who perform a variety of tasks and roles in dentistry. Therefore, to enhance the performance of dental and medical institutions, it is necessary to identify dental hygienists experiencing incivility that affects the organizational performance. METHODS: Over a two-month period from May 1 to June 30, 2015, dental hygienists from 30 dental and medical institutions in Busan, the North and South Gyeongsang Provinces, Daegu, Seoul, and the Gyeonggi Province were convenience sampled. Data, from a total of 344 participants, were analyzed using the SPSS and AMOS statistical analysis software. RESULTS: Emotional exhaustion had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between patient incivility and job performance, a full mediating effect in relation to job satisfaction, and a partial mediating effect on the association with turnover intention. Meanwhile, emotional exhaustion had a full mediating effect on the relationships between superior incivility and job performance, as well as turnover intention, while a partial mediating effect in relation to job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: An in-depth review of interventions that can enable a mutually respectful working environment, and promote a healthy culture among dental hygienists in dental and medical institutions is needed.

A study on dentist and dental hygienist burnout / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: Dentists and dental hygienists undergo high levels of stress due to various factors and the burnout of health-care personnel is very important in the context of personal and social problems. Therefore, empirical research reflecting the social, cultural, and special circumstances of the medical environment is necessary. Here, we explore the causes and outcomes of burnout in dentists and dental hygienists and present ways to prevent burnout. METHODS: A cross-sectional research design was used to measure burnout of 141 dentists and 61 dental hygienists. A structured questionnaire containing the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was administered from May to June, 2018. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0, descriptive statistics, t-test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskall-Wallis test, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Each participant's MBI was measured in three aspects (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment). The MBI scores of dentists with regards to their emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment were 24.8%, 34%, and 48.2%, respectively. Alternatively the scores of dental hygienists were 45.9%, 44.3% and 52.5%, respectively, for the same parameters. While the factors affecting the burnout of dentists and dental hygienists were different, it had a negative impact on the professional performance of both. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, Korean dentists and dental hygienists experience high levels of work-related burnouts. This can have adverse impacts on their personal health and that of their patients. Therefore, stress management is necessary in dentists and dental hygienists.

Effect of Emotional Labor on Somatization among Dental Hygienists in an Area / 치위생과학회지

BACKGROUND: We investigated somatization symptoms experienced by dental hygienists due to stress from emotional labor. Our aim was to provide basic research data that could be useful in the development of efficient stress management schemes for this occupational group. METHODS: We analyzed data collected from 208 dental hygienists working in Jeollabuk-do Province, Korea. To measure the level and intensity of emotional labor among research participants, we used the Korean Emotional Labor Questionnaire. We used the Somatization Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) to measure the level of somatization symptoms among participants. RESULTS: On analyzing the level of emotional labor and somatization symptoms according to general characteristics, participants aged 23~25 years showed high scores for stress due to emotional labor (p<0.05). Working 5 days per week, subjective health status, and organizational support and protection systems were found to correlate with the level of stress due to emotional labor (p<0.05). In the analysis of correlations between emotional labor and somatization symptoms, scoring high across all domains of emotional labor was associated with scoring high for somatization symptoms in the subdomains of emotional labor. When emotional labor and demographical variables were used as independent variables, having higher scores for emotional labor and having poor subjective health status were found to be associated with having higher levels of somatization symptoms (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that working at night and organizational support and protection systems were correlated with emotional labor and somatization symptoms. Measures must be taken at the organizational level to reduce emotional labor and somatization symptoms.

Determining the Relationship among Organizational Commitment, Occupational Stress, and Interpersonal Relations according to Adult Attachment Styles of Clinical Dental Hygienists / 치위생과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the types of adult attachment and determine the relationship between adult attachment and job factors in dental hygienists. Ultimately, it was necessary to identify the need for a secure attachment to improve the quality of clinical dental hygienist's services. METHODS: Data of 454 clinical dental hygienists working in dental hospitals or clinics were collected. The research tools consisted of items related to the general and work characteristics of dental hygienists (9 items), adult attachment styles (36 items), organizational commitments (12 items), occupational stress (15 items), and interpersonal relations (18 items). Cronbach's α of each tool was ≥0.7. RESULTS: Most of the participants had fearful attachment styles, followed by dismissing-avoidance, security, and preoccupation. Security was the highest level of organizational commitment according to the adult attachment style, although the differences of the levels were insignificant. For occupational stress, preoccupation was the highest, followed by fearful, security, and dismissing-avoidance, and the differences were significant (p<0.001). For interpersonal relations, security was the highest, followed by preoccupation, dismissing-avoidance, and fearful in order, and the differences were significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Job stress and interpersonal relation ability according to the adult attachment style of clinical dental hygienists had significant results. Thus, the development of attachment improvement programs by personal style, development of differentiated clinical education and its application, and improvements in the adult attachment styles of clinical dental hygienists would be required rather than simply presenting the needs to collectively improvement the working environment.

Effects of Self-Efficacy and Job Stress on Organizational Commitment among Clinical Dental Hygienists / 치위생과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to provide basic data to establish a foundation for efficient operation of the organization by assessing the effects of self-efficacy and job stress (measured by self-efficacy, job demand, and job autonomy) on organizational commitment among clinical dental hygienists. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey study that used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data. After institutional review board approval, a survey was conducted from January to May 2017, targeting dental hygienists working in dental clinics and hospitals. The final 199 questionnaires were analyzed with PASW 18.0 for Windows (IBM Corp.). The data were analyzed using mean and/or standard deviation t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The means for self-efficacy, job demand, job autonomy, and organizational commitment were 55.94±9.65, 26.55±2.29, 20.24±3.88, and 49.49±8.39, respectively. Along with self-efficacy, the other factors of organizational commitment among dental hygienists that were statistically significant included job autonomy, mean salary (2,500~2,990 thousand Korean won [KRW] and ≥3,000 thousand KRW), and employee welfare (good), which are sub-areas of the surface acting. In other words, it was found that the higher the mean salary, the better the employee welfare, the higher self-efficacy, and the higher the organizational commitment, and the explanatory power of the model was approximately 42.1%. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the higher the self-efficacy, job autonomy, mean salary, and employee welfare, the higher the organizational commitment. In order to improve job demand among dental hygienists, it is necessary to establish an effective plan to improve job welfare, self-efficacy, and job autonomy.

Job satisfaction level of dental staff at oral health centers for people with special needs / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the job satisfaction level of the dental staff working at oral health centers for people with disabilities. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted with 73 dentists and dental hygienists working at seven regional oral health centers for people with special needs and dental hospitals for people with disabilities in Seoul. The questionnaire consisted of seven questions across two subscales: general satisfaction (4 questions) and satisfaction with wage and welfare (3 questions). The internal consistency of the questionnaire items was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (0.80). The responses were analyzed using a t-test with SPSS (version 23.0). RESULTS: Of the 73 dental staff members, 50% were dentists, 64% were women, and participants' average age was 30 years. In total, 58% of the participants had up to five years of experience working with people with disabilities, 42% of them worked full-time, and each participant treated an average of 200 patients with disabilities per month. The participants reported that their salary was relatively low. Dental hygienists had higher satisfaction level than dentists in the institution's welfare work. The more full-time workers answered, the more suitable they are for their work. CONCLUSIONS: The job satisfaction level of most professionals working in oral health centers for people with disabilities was not very high but they felt rewarded by their welfare work. It was inferred that it is necessary to examine and improve institutional support aspects such as human resource support. Increasing the number of centers in the central region is also needed.

A study of the impact of dental hygienist concern on oral health care of the elderly / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: There is currently little research on dental hygienists' interest and need related to oral care. To perform elderly oral care effectively, dental hygienists must understand the features of aging in the elderly. The purpose of this study is to investigate how dental hygienists' interest affects oral care for the elderly.METHODS: 232 dental hygienists completed a self-reported questionnaire from March to April 2019. The questionnaires consisted of general characteristics of the subjects (6 items), elderly patient experience (11 items), and questions regarding aging (7 items). This study analyzed collected data by frequency analysis, ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis.RESULTS: Correlation analysis between concern, need, and participation in elderly oral care showed a significant amount of correlation among all variables. We found that gender (P=0.022), education level (P=0.029), workplace type (P=0.002), and the proportion of future elderly patients were statistically significant (P=0.001) factors affecting the level of concern.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that experience in treating and caring for the elderly are essential factors for raising the interest and understanding of oral health care for elderly patients. Therefore, we should consider the development of various programs to raise interest in oral health for the elderly.

A survey of the understanding of the scope of work undertaken by dental hygienists and chair-side dental assistants among dental students in Seoul / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the awareness of the students currently attending dental colleges/schools in Seoul regarding the scope of work done by a dental hygienist (DH) and a chair-side dental assistant (DA).METHODS: A direct questionnaire survey was conducted among 950 students who currently attend dental colleges/schools in Seoul. We were able to use a total of 458 samples for final analysis after excluding inappropriate ones. The contents of this structuralized survey included the obligation of proper name badge use for dental health care personnel, the legal work scopes of a DH and a DA in accordance with the revised execution of the ‘Legal Acts on Medical Technicians’, and the inclusion/exclusion of such contents from dental colleges/schools curricula. The results were statistically analyzed via the IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0 software.RESULTS: Many subjects were aware of the difference in scope of work performed by a DH and a DA (P < 0.001), but not their legal obligation to wear appropriate name badges in accordance with the ‘Proposal for the Establishment of the Name Badge Standards for Healthcare Practitioners'. The subjects generally showed higher comprehension of the scope of work performed by a DH (74.3%) than that performed by a DA (57.7%). Without the presence of any corresponding curriculum, accurate responses tended to increase with the students' seniority. Most students (94.4%) agreed with the need to include a class that teaches the scope of work performed by a DH and a DA in their school curricula.CONCLUSIONS: We have found that education regarding ‘Name Badge Standards for Healthcare Practitioners’ and classification of a dental assistant's scope of work is lacking in the existing curriculum. Therefore, it is necessary to establish additional curriculum.

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.

Survey of the knowledge, safety climate, and compliance with hospital infection standard precautions among dental hygienists / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge, safety climate, and compliance with hospital standard precautions among dental hygienists, and investigate the influencing factors. METHODS: A biased sampling method was used. Using the modified questionnaire, data were collected from 146 dental hygienists working at dental hospitals, general hospitals, and University hospitals, during September to October 2015. Data were entered and analyzed using software SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: The knowledge, safety climate, and compliance score of the hygienists regarding hospital standard precautions, were high when evaluation was carried out during healthcare accreditation or its preparation. The most important factor affecting compliance with the hospital standard precautions was working experience. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge, safety climate, and compliance with hospital infection standard precautions were all high, on certification by the healthcare accreditation system.

Assessment of risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck in dental hygienists using video recording / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: Work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) of the neck is a frequent health problem in dental hygienists. This study was conducted to assess the risk factors of neck musculoskeletal disorder (neck MSD) using video recording. METHODS: The subjects were 50 currently working dental hygienists who agreed to participate in this study. A standardized questionnaire about WMSD (NIOSH/KOSHA) was distributed and video recording for neck posture and motion was performed between August and October 2012. The video recording was performed for 5 minutes using the reflective marker attachment on the 7th cervical vertebra. Major observation points included neck flexion angle, number of flexions, and length of static work when performing scaling and prosthetic procedures. Data were analyzed using MedCalc (ver 12.3.0, Mariakerke, Belgium), and the risk factors for neck MSD were assessed using simple and multiple variate analysis. RESULTS: The mean age and work experience of the subjects were 27.9 years and 5 years respectively. The prevalence of neck MSD symptoms that met NIOSH/KOSHA's criteria was 48%. The mean angle of neck flexion was 54.6°, mean maximum angle of flexion was 64.8°, and the mean time of static posture was 4.8 minutes during the 5 minutes recording interval. In the multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted by career, daily work time, and posture, the prevalence of neck MSD symptoms increased by 1.47 times (95% CI=0.24–9.48) with flexion >45°, and by 4.90 times (95% CI=0.91–26.4) when a static posture was preserved for >4.8 minutes CONCLUSIONS: The measured angle of flexion and time of preserved static posture identified further serious than expected. Therefore, to reduce the risk of neck MSD, reasonable and practically applicable guidelines to correct neck bending and tilting, especially to relax the long static posture associated with flexion, should be prepared.

The Influence of Dental Hygienist Images and Career Advice among High School Teachers / 치위생과학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of dental hygienist images and career advice among high school teachers. A self-reported questionnaire was administered to 212 high school teachers in Gwangju, South Korea. The questionnaire contained subject's general characteristics, images of dental hygienists, and career advice. We performed an independent t-test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis, and logistic regression analysis using the IBM SPSS ver. 21.0 software. Using a five-point scale, the average of all the dental hygienist images was 3.50, with personal images receiving the most positive rating at 3.83 and social images receiving the least positive rating at 2.86. The images of dental hygienists were significantly more positive in instances where the subjects recognized the dental hygienist or received treatment within one year. There were positive correlations among different kinds of images. Through multiple regression analysis, occupational images were associated with business and social images. Business images were associated with occupational and personal images. Personal images were associated with business images, especially in cases where the subjects recognized the dental hygienist. Social images were associated with occupational images, especially in cases where subjects received treatment within one year. Through logistic regression analysis, career advice was associated with social and occupational images. Therefore, our study provides suggestions on how to enhance positive recognition of social images of dental hygienists.

An assessment of smoking cessation counseling among dental hygienists / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess recognition of smoking cessation education among dental hygienists and knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to smoking cessation counseling as well as to obtain basic data on smoking cessation counseling for effective oral care in dental offices. METHODS: After approval was obtained from the institutional review board, this study was carried out dental hygienists working in dental hospitals and clinics in Busan City, Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk province, Korea. The final analysis captured information from 300 participants. Data were analyzed with SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: Of the 300 participants, 94.0% agreed that smoking cessation education is necessary, 17.5% reported smoking cessation education experience, and 65.7% reported intention to participate in smoking cessation education in the future. Dental hygienists' smoking cessation counseling activities showed a significant correlation between attitudes and practices (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Counseling for smoking cessation provided by dental hygienists was positively correlated with the presence of smoking cessation knowledge and with the intention of participating in smoking cessation education. For dental hygienists to effectively counsel patients regarding smoking cessation, it is essential to integrate smoking cessation education into the dental school curriculum and to offer continuing education post-graduation.

Educational needs of an integrated health and oral health project for community dental hygienists / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: To determine the educational needs related to an integrated health and oral health project for community dental hygienists. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a survey was administered to 1,190 dental hygienists working in community health centers and 627 (about 53%) responded. The dependent variable was educational needs from oral health projects; the independent variables were region, job assignments, job position, and degree of self-development. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, with PASW 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and the significance threshold was .05. RESULTS: The educational needs of community dental hygienists were found to be high, at about 58.5 points out of 100. The highest educational needs were for oral health projects linked to public health projects. In this regard, participants reported a high need for "identification of issues and projects suited to the current state of the region," "establishment of strategies for integration of health and oral health projects," and "prioritization." CONCLUSIONS: Professional education for community dental hygienists should be expanded to include integration of health and oral health. It should be based on the assessment of these professionals' educational needs.

A study on the impacts of infection control education on dental hygienists' perceptions for hepatitis type B and their practices to prevent infection / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of infection control education on dental hygienists'perceptions for hepatitis B and their behaviors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study participants were chosen by random selection among dental hygienists working in Seoul, Korea. A total of 150 questionnaires were sent out for the survey from April 2013 to May 2013, of which 140-excluding incomplete responses-were used for the study. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used (SPSS 19.0), and post-hoc analysis was performed as well. The maximum significance level was 0.05. RESULTS: Average 1.53 times infection control education was taken, but dental hygienists' perceptions for hepatitis B and their behaviors did not show statistical differences whether the education was done or not. Practices to prevent infection showed differences depending on categories, especially disinfection and sterilization were well performed by educated group. The most common reasons for not taking the education and noncompliance with infection prevention guidelines are lack of time and opportunity due to busy schedule. CONCLUSION: 1. The more highly educated, the greater number of patients per day, and the greater size of hospitals, the better infection control education was conducted. 2. Although hepatitis B is one of the most common chronic liver diseases in Korea, no significant correlation between perceptions of hepatitis B and infection control education was found. 3. Dental hygienists who received infection control education performed more efficient practices for protection against infections than those who did not.

Knowledge and Ability Toward CPR in Metropolitan Dental Hygienists

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ability and level of knowledge among certain dental hygienists in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. METHODS: We surveyed ability and knowledge of CPR among dental hygienists working at dental offices and dental hospitals located in Soul and Gyeonggi-do from September 18, 2010 to October 16, 2010. Data acquired from dental hygienists who had completed the questionnaire that we designed were used in the analysis. Uni- and bi-variate analysis and Chi-square test were performed using SAS 9.2. RESULTS: According to our findings, among respondents, approximately 14.29% of dental hygienists had a CPR license. Their CPR licenses are affected by working period, job position, and level of education (p<.05). Factors including working period, type of CPR license, and CPR license renewal were indicators of CPR knowledge level (p<.05). Significant differences were observed among dental hygienists with regard to subjective CPR abilities, which is dependent on obtaining a CPR license, CPR knowledge level, and education channel for CPR (p<.05). CONCLUSION: CPR ability and knowledge level among dental hygienists were not sufficient to save emergency people in the dental clinic. In order to save emergency patients patients, implementation of a CPR education and renewal program for dental hygienists is recommended.

The recognition and attitude of student's parents of elementary school on the sealant and its operation by dental hygienists / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to look at elementary school student parents' recognition of pit and fissure sealant, national health insurance application and recognition of and attitude toward dental hygienist's treatment for pit and fissure sealant. METHODS: The subject of study was parents of children in the 3rd and 4th grades at an elementary school in Jeonju city. To consider those parents' socio-economic factors of elementary school grade level classified by Education Office, 'A: highest socio-economic' level and 'D: lowest socio-economic' level, elementary school student parents were surveyed. In this study, a set of questionnaire was distributed to student's parents, a total of 23 questions on recognition and attitude for pit and fissure sealant by national health insurance system, treatment of sealing by dental hygienist. The statistical analysis of the data collected was done by using SPSS 12.0. RESULTS: Of the student parents, the percentage of those who recognized that national health insurance covers the pit and fissure sealant was 36.9% only. The percentage of parents who did not know was larger than that of those who knew. Of the student parents, those who had once or more received treatment of the pit and fissure sealant by dental hygienist were highly satisfied and their attitude were also very positive about dental hygienist's ability to operate the pit and fissure sealant. CONCLUSIONS: The higher the recognition rate of pit and fissure sealant can be covered national insurance system, the lesser consumer's burden.