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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the self-efficacy of dental hygiene students and their satisfaction with clinical practice to provide information for developing programs aimed at instilling self-efficacy and boosting satisfaction with clinical practice. Methods: A self-reported survey was conducted with dental hygiene students in the metropolitan area. Of those surveys distributed, 243 questionnaires were analyzed. Results: The results of this study are as follows: 1. Regarding self-efficacy, the subjects had a mean result of 2.96(out of five points), and 3.09 points in satisfaction with clinical practice. 2. As for the subfactors of self-efficacy, the students who got higher grades, whose awareness of dental hygienists was better and whose awareness of dental hygienists after on-site clinical practice was better scored higher in terms of confidence and self-regulation. In task difficulty preference, the students who were more satisfied with majoring in dental hygiene and whose awareness of dental hygienists was better scored higher. In terms of motivation for choosing the dental hygiene department, the students scored higher when the department was their preferred option. 3. In satisfaction with clinical practice, the students who were aware of dental hygienists at the time of college entrance was better. Those whose awareness of dental hygienists after experiencing clinical practice was better and who were more satisfied with majoring in dental hygiene expressed more satisfaction with clinical practice. 4. Satisfaction with clinical practice was higher when self-efficacy was better. Conclusions: Based on the above results, it is thought that developing programs that can enhance self-efficacy and include on-site clinical practice would be beneficial as higher self-efficacy levels were related to higher clinical practice satisfaction.

This study aimed to investigate the actual smoking status, knowledge of oral health related to smoking, and attitude toward smoking cessation in 161 health students of the University in Jeonnam. This was done to examine the role of smoking cessation guidance as health care professionals after graduation. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. The significance level was α=0.05. Of those surveyed, 33.3% had previously smoked, and 30.4% were current smokers. The high school period had the highest smoking rate, at 59.2%. A daily smoking rate of 20 or more cigarettes was the highest at 30.4%. Of the respondents, 68.3% had received smoking cessation, while 10.6% said that they were encouraged by others to quit, such as friends. As a result of a correlation analysis between major satisfaction, smoking-related oral health knowledge, and attitudes toward smoking cessation, major satisfaction showed a negative correlation(r=-.394, -.337*) with smoking-related oral health knowledge and attitude towards smoking cessation. Smoking-related oral health knowledge showed a positive correlation(r=.546**) with attitude towards smoking cessation. As a result of a regression analysis, the knowledge of oral health related to smoking was the primary variable that affected the attitude towards smoking cessation(t=6.799, p<0.001). Based on these results, it is suggested that education on smoking cessation and the risk of smoking is delivered so that health care workers can be better prepared and educated for their future roles.

This study identifies oral health behavior factors related to the health-related quality of life(EQ-5D) of adults. Three groups are analyzed, young adults(aged 19 to 39 years old), middle-aged(40 to 64 years old), and elderly(over 65 years old). By comparing the factors related to health-related quality of life by age, we will provide information for improving the overall quality of life, including oral health for current and future elderly. Using raw data from the 1st year(2016) of the National Health and Nutrition Survey, the oral health behaviors of the study subjects were compared. These included: the number of times teeth were brushed, the time brushing took place, the use of interdental care products, and whether they went for oral and examinations. There was a statistical significance in treatment experience and drinking habits. There was also a significant influence on the health-related quality of life across the age groups. Therefore, it is possible to improve the health-related quality of life, including oral health practices according to age. It will be necessary to develop and apply.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of self-perception of halitosis on oral health behaviors of college students according to whether they worked in a non-service or service-related job. Methods: A self-reporting questionnaire of 150 university students working in service jobs and 150 university students working in non-service jobs in the metropolitan area was conducted from 26th April to 5th May 2018. The survey tool consisted of 3 general topic areas. There were 5 questions on oral health awareness behavior, 3 questions related to their self-perception of halitosis, and 8 questions on their oral health care practice. All were measured on the Likert 5-point scale. The frequency of their oral health behaviors and their self-perception of halitosis were analyzed according to the subjects’ occupation. Pearson’s correlation analysis and a linear regression analysis were conducted to confirm the influence of the two. The significance level for the statistical significance test was set to α = 0.05 (two-tailed). Results: In both the service and non-service groups, a coated tongue and food debris were found to influence halitosis(x2=10.95, p=0.027). According to the t-test, taking into account the self-perception of halitosis and oral health behaviors, both were higher in those that had a service job. Self-perception of halitosis and oral health behaviors were found to have a negative correlation(γ=-0.11, p<0.05). As the self-perception of halitosis increased, oral health care practices also increased(Beta=-0.185, p=0.020). Conclusions: Systematic interventions such as oral health programs and health promotion are needed to improve the oral health of service workers.

Introduction: This study intended to identify the current oral health care status and demand of care workers for oral health education. Methods: A survey was distributed to care workers working in 11 nursing homes for older people located in the Chungcheongdo Province. Of those distributed, 217 questionnaires were collected and analyzed. To analyze the collected data, a frequency analysis, t-test, and one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) were performed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: The demand for an educational course on the ‘Management of Oral Health Care for the Aged People’ had a score of 4.22 points(full marks were 5.0 points), whereas the score for the necessity for control of oral health was 4.29 points. The control of oral health for the aged people suffering dysphagia scored 4.27 points, whereas the control of oral health for older people who have dementia was 4.27 points. The score for a course on the nutritional control for aged people having difficulties in masticating foods was 4.27. Conclusion: It is clear that the development of educational courses and standardized manuals for care workers on aspects of oral health care is necessary. Therefore, it would be desirable to develop institutional infrastructure for dental hygienists to educate care workers on oral health.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the adaptation to college life of dental hygiene students. Methods: A total of 300 students in the 3-year course, and 200 students in the 4-year course at the Department of Dental Hygiene, were selected. A self-reported questionnaire was used between 27th June and 31st August 2017. From this, 439 questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Results: 1. The overall degree of adaptation to college life, according to varied general characteristics of the subject students, appeared to show that male students had a higher degree of adaptation than female students. It also appeared to be higher in students that had a higher level of academic accomplishment(<0.001). 2. The average score of the degree of adaptation to college life was 2.57 points(full score of 4.00 points). Social adaption had the highest score of 2.92 points, while academic adaptation had the lowest score of 2.37 points. Regarding the subordinate domains of adaptation to college life, the average score of attachment adaptation of students in the 3-year course of the Department of Dental Hygiene(2.69 points) appeared to be higher than that of students in the 4-year course(2.52 points). The difference between these scores was statistically significant(p=0.001). 3. The effects of varied academic systems upon the degree of adaptation to college life were also analyzed. Emotional and attachment adaptation to college, as well as the academic accomplishment of students in the 3-year course, was distributed over a range of 3.0~3.5. This was significantly different compared to students in the 4-year course(p<0.05). Conclusion: It is necessary to develop stepwise and continuous educational programs to enable better college life adaptation for students in the Department of Dental Hygiene.