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Purpose: This study aimed to observed changes in the shape of dental barrels based on application time. Machinability measures the angle of alloy specimens. Polishing performance measures the surface roughness of alloy specimens. Methods: The dental barrel polishing equipment used in this study was a Snow Barrel (DK Mungyo). Three types of cobalt-chromium alloys for partial dentures were used as specimens (BC CAST R [BP]; Bukwang, Vera PDI [VP]; Aalbadent, and GM 800+ [GP]; Dentaurum). Specimens were prepared in the form of plates (10 mmx10 mmx2 mm). Dental barrel polishing was performed at 450 rpm for 60 minutes with intervals of 5 minutes. The processing angle was measured using a microscope (SZ61; Olympus). Results: For the angle measurement, the VPC specimen was measured at 78.64°, 36.00° for the VP60 specimen, 79.57° for the BP control (BPC) specimen, 28.07° for the BP60 specimen, 75.01° for the GPC specimen, and 39.92° for the GP60 specimen. For the surface roughness measurements, the average surface roughness of the VPC and VP15 specimens were 1.09 μm and 0.26 μm, respectively. The average surface roughness of the BPC and BP20 specimens were 1.77 μm and 0.29 μm, respectively. The average surface roughness of the GPC and GP15 specimens were 1.08 μm and 0.27 μm. Conclusion: The results were excellent after about 20 minutes of dental barrel polishing conditions presented in this study.

Purpose: This study examines the clinical practice satisfaction and major satisfaction of dental technology students who have experienced clinical practice to identify whether there is an effect on employment intention of satisfaction level as a basis for increasing the employment rate of dental technicians. Methods: A survey was distributed among 150 dental technology students, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency and correlation analyses. Finally, multiple regression analysis was used to verify the research hypotheses. All statistical analyses were carried out using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 27.0 (IBM). Results: The students exhibited high levels of satisfaction with their clinical practice (4.20) and dental technology major (4.07). Further analysis showed a positive correlation between intention to work in dental laboratories and satisfaction with a dental technology major (practice; r=0.437, p<0.05); clinical practice organization (r=0.682, p<0.05); and satisfaction with the clinical practice institution (r=0.650, p<0.05). Statistically significant positive associations (p<0.05) were also observed between clinical practice form and environment, satisfaction with dental technology major, and school region (i.e., metropolitan area). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that high levels of satisfaction with clinical practice and dental technology major can contribute to increased employment rates among dental technicians by promoting their intention to work in the related industry.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the influence of personality types on recovery resilience and college life adjustment among dental technology students. Methods: The study recruited 165 students in colleges in some areas using convenience sampling. Data were processed through reliability analysis, frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and correlation analysis. Moreover, linear regression analysis was performed to confirm the influence. Results: The results confirmed that the motivation for selecting a department exerted an effect on adaptation to college life and satisfaction with majors (p<0.05). Additionally, the finding indicated that personality type partially influenced resilience and adaptation to college life among dental technology students (p<0.05). Finally, the results of regression analysis on adaptation to college life found that resilience and satisfaction with majors were significant predictors of adaptation to college life (p<0.05). Conclusion: To improve adaptation to college life, increasing resilience and satisfaction with majors is necessary.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the status of dental technician’s continuing education and licensing reporting and provide basic data that can aid in improving the operation of progressive continuing education and licensing reporting and development programs. Methods: This study included dental technicians nationwide who attended the 2023 Korea Dental Technology Expo & Scientific Conference and responded to an online survey from July 21 to July 23, 2023. In total, 180 copies were analyzed. The reliability of satisfaction with continuing education demonstrated a Cronbach’s α of 0.924. IBM SPSS Statistics version 21.0 (IBM) was used to statistically analyze the collected data. Results: Satisfaction with continuing education for dental technicians was 2.78, 2.81, 3.21, 2.96, and 2.87 for the number of lectures offered, composition of major fields, lecture content, instructor level, and overall satisfaction, respectively. The average satisfaction with continuing education was 2.93, which was lower than the average (3 points). The investigation revealed that overall improvement was required. Conclusion: Measures for those who have not completed continuing education must be implemented within the government’s legal influence by actively using the license reporting system. Strengthening verification of completion of continuing education, improving autonomous disciplinary rights, diversifying the content and learning methods of continuing education, linking with the license reporting system, improving institutional postevaluation, and introducing related policies should be conducted when opening a dental laboratory.

Purpose: This study proposes measures needed to implement a job-based national practical exam for dental technicians. Methods: For this study, a survey was conducted targeting 244 currently employed individuals. The current national practical test for dental technicians was divided into directions for the job-based practical test, subjects that need improvement among the current practical test subjects, items that need to be reflected in the practical test evaluation for each subject, and subjects that need to be added to the practical test. It comprised ten questions (Cronbach’s α=0.801). Results: The following results were obtained. Satisfaction with the current practical test was lower than average. Future improvement should focus on job-based evaluation. The dental ceramic lab technology subject needs to be reorganized urgently, and the tasks that require evaluation for each subject are different. Moreover, if evaluation subjects are added in the future, the introduction of assessment for dental CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/ computer-aided manufacturing) subjects was found to be the most urgent. Conclusion: In this study, the most necessary tasks of the current national practical examination for dental technicians were evaluated and the content needed for future reorganization was investigated. Future tests should be expanded to evaluate critical job areas. Furthermore, it is necessary to open new courses in fields such as CAD/CAM, as they are in high demand in the workplace.

This study aims to describe the clinical experience of single and bridge crowns fabricated using a cementless screw-retained implant prosthesis system. In the case of single crown (#37), regular link (HDL) was used, and bridge crowns (#15~#24), (#26~#27), (#17~#14) (#24~#26) were fabricated by selecting regular link and short link considering the vertical height. One abutment was hex shaped to ensure that it could be mounted while preventing insertion and prosthesis rotation. The advantages of cementless implant prosthesis include shorter chair time and periodic care, strong retention with LINK abutment, safety from inflammation, bacterial infection, and complications due to peri-implant cement, and high patient satisfaction. Dentists should double-check the position of the implant fixture and dental technicians should continuously manage the fit of the link and prosthesis with digital equipment to reduce screw loosening and fractures.