Earticle

This study investigated the relationship between oral health knowledge, behavior and orthodontic satisfaction in orthodontic patients visiting dental hospitals and clinics and provided suggestions to improve orthodontic patients’ satisfaction. This study anayzed structured self-administered questionnaires collected from 245 patients who visited 5 dental clinics in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Regarding oral health knowledge, the highest percentage of correct answers was for the item “Cavities heal themselves over time” (97.1%), and the lowest percentage of correct answers was for the item “Cavity bacteria move from tooth to tooth” (16.7%). Five fluoride items showed a lower percentage of correct answers than those for cavity and gingival diseases. Regarding the survey on oral health behavior, the highest score was found for the item “I brush my teeth with a certain method and order” (3.78 out of 5), and the lowest score was found for the item “I use an electric toothbrush” (1.34 out of 5). Regarding the survey on orthodontic satisfaction, the highest score was found for the item “I would recommend receiving medical treatment at the department of orthodontics” (4.23), and the lowest score was found for the item “Orthodontic cost is reasonable” (3.46). While oral health behavior had on orthodontic satisfaction, oral health knowledge had no effect on it. Oral health behaviors should be improved to enhance orthodontic satisfaction. To improve oral health behavior, it is necessary to develop and activate education programs for tooth brushing and oral care for orthodontic patients.

This study analyzed 183 for dental hygienists working at dental hospitals and clinics in Daegu to survey organizational socialization of them. The adversity index of the study subjects averaged 58.60±9.16 points out of a total score of 100, with the highest individual initiative of 16.58±3.09 points, and a low of 13.86±3.66 points for continuity of the situation. Organizational socialization averaged 123.40±12.82 points out of 190, with the highest personal characteristics of 30.37±3.71 points, and the lowest occupational identity of 10.34±1.94. The adversity index of the participants was significantly higher in graduate school or higher (F=3.112, p=0.047), the lower the intensity of their work (F=2.860, p=0.060), and the more often the degree of turnover (F=5.196, p<0.006). In organizational socialization, age (F=9.290, p<0.001), educational background (F=8.655, p<0.001), and higher position (F=5.425, p=0.005) were significantly higher when working in hospitals (F=4.534, p=0.012). The higher the position (F=5.425, p=0.005), the higher the work experience (F=5.320, p=0.002), the lower the turnover (F=22.935, p<0.001), and the highrer the intensity of the work(F=7.02, p<0.001). The study subjects’ organizational socialization showed a significant correlation with the adverse event index (r=0.395, p<0.000). The regression analysis using organizational socialization as a dependent variable showed that the degree of turnover (β=0.300, p<0.001) had a significant effect on organizational socialization. The total explanatory power of this variable was 41.6%, with significant effects on individual initiative (β=0.255, p<0.000) and personal control (β=0.180, p<0.009) among the adverse events index. The above findings confirmed that a high adverse event index of dental hygienists has the effect of increasing organizational socialization. Dental hygienists' adversity index is average, meaning they live a smooth life in smooth conditions, however, when major adversity arises, organizational socialization is highly necessary. In addition, to strengthen the organizational socialization of new dental hygienists, as well as experienced dental hygienists, a customized program should be administered to raise the adverse index of dental hygienists, and provide a human management tool through regular confirmation of the program.

This study surveyed 57,303 teenagers using the 15th (2019) online Juvenile Health Behavior survey data to understand the relationship between oral health behavior, mental health, and smoking. The results of analyzing the factors affecting smoking experience are as follows: The smoking rate was higher in men (p<0.001), in a lower academic ability (p<0.001), and in moderate economic status was moderate (p<0.001). The smoking rate was higher in 2 or less brushing frequency (p<0.001), in no brushing before going to bed (p<0.001), in no brushing aftger lunch (p<0.001), in no experience of oral health education (p<0.001), and when the subjests felt unhealty in oral health (p<0.001). The smoking rate was significantly higher in those who experienced a lot of stress (p<0.001) and feelings of depression (p<0.001). The odds ratio for smoking was 1.44 when not brushing teeth before bedtime, 0.76 in experience of oral health education, and 1.29 in unhealthy subjective oral health. The odds ratio for smoking was 0.91 in no stress and 1.85 in depression. Since oral behavior and mental health affect smoking, intervening with these factors is necessary to quit smoking.

This study investigated the relationship between knowledge of COVID-19, the risk of exposure to subjective infectious diseases, and the degree of infection control practices for dental personnel. For dental personnel currently working in dentistry, a survey consisting of 10 questions about COVID-19 knowledge and 63 questions about infection control practices was conducted. This study analyzed 126 survey data collected by distributing questionnaires form May 30 to June 20, 2020. Data was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. The average level of knowledge of COVID-19 was 5.44 out of 10, the average risk of exposure to infectious diseases was 3.86 out of 5, and the average level of infection control practices was 4.05 out of 5. The risk of exposure to infectious diseases was positively correlated with dental waste (r=.184). It was found that there was a significant positive correlation between infection control practices and sub-factors of infection control practices (p<0.001). To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and infectious diseases and to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious diseases for dental personnel, the practice of infection control should be improved. It is necessary to cultivate infection control experts and have mandatory infection control education and social regulations.

The purpose of this study was to provide the basic data needed to plan the effective teaching design of scaling education and to measure the changes in students’ confidence in performing scaling according to the number of scaling practices. Scaling education is presented as a core basic hygiene competency of dental hygienists and evaluated as the practical competency of dental hygienists. This study selected 48 third-year students from the department of dental hygiene at S University in Asan, and analyzed data from completed participant surveys. The degree of “confidence in facing the subject in clinical practice,” “confidence in applying hand instrument to the subject,” and “confidence in applying ultrasonic instruments to the subject” was assessed on a five-point Likert scale. The difference in confidence was analyzed during five practice sessions. Each response was compared using frequency analysis, chi-square test, and repeated measurement ANOVA. Students who complained of a lack of confidence in the 14.6%, 25.0%, and 12.5%, respectively, in face-to-face practice, hand instruments, and ultrasonic instrument application responses. The more the practice was repeated, the more confident students were in all three categories, and the more statistically significant (p<0.001). As the number of scaling practice sessions increased, students’ confidence in performing scaling also improved. In particular, the level of self-confidence was higher after the third practice session when compared to the first session. Therefore, it is necessary to design effective courses for teaching scaling practices so that at least three repetitive practice periods can be provided in clinical dental hygiene practices.

Oral examination ensures early detection and treatment of oral diseases and improvement of quality of healthrelated life. This is imperative as it reduces individuals’ dental medical expenses and social costs caused by diseases. However, as the low oral examination acceptance rate continues to be a problem, this study was conducted to identify the factors that influence the oral examination of an economically active population. In this study, 4,836 economically active individuals between the ages of 20 and 65 years were studied using data from the 7th National Health and Nutrition Survey in 2018. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors influencing demographic and sociological characteristics on oral examination after adjusting for complaints of mastication and speech discomfort. As a result of confirming the factors influencing the oral examination, increase in age tended to be inversely proportional to the oral examination. Income level, type of job, and job position were identified as factors that influenced oral examinations. Compared to the group with a high socioeconomic status, which is represented by a group with a high income level or a stable job type or job position, the group with low economic status was found to have a negative effect on oral examination. Oral management of vulnerable groups, who might not be considered while devising oral health management policies, should be promoted through the development and provision of oral health management policies that consider employment status and environment.

Dental hygienists handle periodontal tissue every day. Since periodontal tissue contains hard and soft tissue, dental hygienists need to cultivate scientific knowledge about bone tissue. This study introduces recent research results on cells and cytokines related to bone tissue. Recently, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw has been reported, therefore we would like to present osteoporosis and osteoporosis treatment drugs and their side effects in this study.

This study investigated the effects of body consciousness and body esteem on interpersonal competence. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 220 dental hygiene students during July 1–31, 2020. The findings show that the subjects scored means of 3.32±0.26, 3.33±0.53, and 3.49±0.45 out of 5 in body consciousness, body esteem, and interpersonal competence, respectively. There were negative correlations between body surveillance and body shame (r=-0.303, p<0.001), as well as between two subfactors of body consciousness. Body shame was positively correlated with subfactors of interpersonal competence such as relationship initiation (r=0.217, p<0.01), claim for displeasure (r=0.218, p<0.01), and conflict management (r=0.231, p<0.01). Under the category of body esteem, body function esteem had positive correlations with conflict management (r=0.293, p<0.01) and consideration for others (r=0.141, p<0.05). Body consciousness and body esteem had effects on interpersonal competence, with an explanatory power of 13.4%. Higher body consciousness (β=.16, p=0.016) and body esteem (β=.22, p=0.02) were associated with greater interpersonal competence. These findings demonstrate that college students’ objectified body consciousness and body esteem have an impact on their interpersonal competence. This raises the need to develop and apply a program to help students have positive perceptions of their bodies and establish their own individuality and body images to enhance their interpersonal competence.