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Purpose: The study aims to analyze differences in the satisfaction level of dental technology students regarding in-person and online classes. It also aims to provide fundamental resources for the improvement of major subject class methods that will improve students’ self-directed learning abilities, thereby affecting their class satisfaction. Methods: In this study, a self-administered questionnaire was conducted from November 8 to November 30, 2021, for 256 dental technology students. The collected data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 21.0 statistical program. Frequency and percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, post-hoc test, correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis were performed to analyze the data. Results: In the self-directed learning abilities, the attitude of the learners was shown to have the highest positive (+) correlation in both in-person and online classes, with a statistically significant effect (p<0.001) on class satisfaction in major subject classes. Moreover, the explanatory power of the model was 52.2% and 39.7%, respectively. Conclusion: We concluded from the study that there is a need for professors to improve teaching methods to increase learners’ self-directed learning competence, through problem- based learning, discussion learning, team-based collaborative learning, and mentormentee learning, thereby enabling learners to lead classes themselves.

Purpose: This study attempted to collect basic data to improve the basic repair ability of university freshmen in a world where the usage of advanced medical devices related to computer programs is now common. Methods: The collected data from 280 university freshmen enrolled in nursing, dental, and health degrees or computer and engineering degrees at K university of Gangwon-do were analyzed using the t-test, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and linear regression analysis using the IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 21.0 (IBM). Results: The mathematical learning status and the detailed factors of basic mathematical ability had a positive (+) correlation. The factors of basic mathematical ability, psychology of learning (p<0.001), method of learning (p<0.001), and propensity to learn (p<0.05) were found to be statistically significant, and the model’s explanatory power was 40.0%. Conclusion: As a result of this study and considering that advanced medical devices such as computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing and three-dimensional printers are becoming more common and up-to-date in clinical settings, it is determined that nursing and dental health students require education to improve their repair skills.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the flexural properties and perform the Weibull analysis of photo-curing three-dimensional (3D) printing resin. Methods: Photo-curing temporary resin (3D polymer) was used as a printing resin. Specimens (65 × 10 × 3.3 mm3) were prepared following the ISO 20975-1 guidelines and according to the different printing orientations using a digital light processing 3D printer (D2 120; Dentium). The flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus, and work of fracture (WOF) were measured using a universal testing machine (Instron 3344; Instron) at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. Results: In this study, the 0° orientation exhibited higher FS and WOF than the 45° orientation. Significant differences were found among the printing orientations (p<0.05). Specimens printed at the 0° orientation were the most accurate. In the Weibull analysis, 0° showed the greatest Weibull modulus (m), which represents a higher reliability. Conclusion: 3D printing should be selected and used by considering flexural properties, size accuracy, and reliability.

Purpose: The color of dental zirconia is very important in terms of aesthetics. To reproduce the color tone, a colorant is applied to zirconia to express the color tone. I would like to point out that the color, brightness, and saturation of the colorant used to express the color A3 may vary depending on the manufacturer. Methods: Each zirconia block received a total of 25 circular specimens for the experiment. The zirconia specimen was then deposited by colorant type to reproduce the color tone. Color differences and translucency were measured using a spectrophotometer. To compare and analyze the zirconia color according to the type of colorant, one-way ANOVA was used. Results: For each type of zirconia colorant, there was no statistically significant difference in translucency or b* (p>0.05). There was a statistical difference in L* and a* (p<0.05). Conclusion: The ΔE*ab (D65) value is less than 5.5 or less, and the color difference is within an acceptable range.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the impact of instructor–learner interaction on online class satisfaction, perceived academic achievement, and online class preference. Methods: From December 20, 2023, to February 10, 2024, this study surveyed students in the medical and public health departments of K University and D University located in Gangwon-do and Daejeon, respectively. Results: In the online class environment, instructor–learner interaction showed a significant positive correlation with online class satisfaction, academic achievement, and online class preference. On re-examination using regression analysis, it was found that among the subfactors of instructor–learner interaction, instructional support and instructor presence had a significant impact. Conclusion: The findings suggest that in an online learning environment, instructors must make efforts to help learners identify what they need to learn by repeatedly asking whether they understand the learning content and providing appropriate feedback.

Purpose: This study explores the associations between chewing function, quality of life, and stress perception among older adults in South Korea. Methods: Data from the 9th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2nd year (2023), of 1,308 elderly individuals aged 65 and over were analyzed, 575 of them female (44.0%) and 733 male (56.0%). By age group, there were 480 participants (36.7%) aged 65~69, 626 (47.9%) aged 70~79, and 202 (15.4%) aged 80 years or older. The data were analyzed with chi-square tests and logistic regression using SPSS (version 29.0, IBM). Results: The prevalence of chewing function discomfort significantly increased with age (p<0.001). Individuals who reported poor oral health also experienced significantly higher levels of chewing discomfort (p<0.001), among whom those who had difficulty working, felt depressed, had memory issues, or did not experience happiness showed significantly higher rates of discomfort (p<0.001). Conclusion: We found that chewing function discomfort significantly affects the quality of life and stress perception among the elderly, highlighting the need for integrated health interventions for improved chewing function to enhance their overall well-being.

Purpose: The present study is an analysis of the extents of class satisfaction of college students who had applied the design thinking technique to capstone design class. Methods: The experimental method involved an analysis of 122 cases of data where advance and post replies were performed for the subject by students who had applied the design thinking technique and students who had not. The students involved had attended the capstone design class as a junior in the Department of Dental Technology at D University. Results: In the satisfaction with performance process of the capstone design class, five questions among nine had a high positive rating, while all eight questions on the satisfaction with performance methods had a high negative rating. Among ten questions on subjective learning outcomes, six showed a high positive rating. After the application of the design thinking class method, all mean values of the group with the application were higher than the group with no application in satisfaction with performance process, satisfaction with performance method, and subjective class outcomes. Hence, the design thinking class did have positive effects on the students’ improvement of class. Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it is implied that the considerations about diverse class composition methods and operation methods capable of improving the students’ satisfaction are needed for efficient operation of the capstone design class.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate how one’s motive to choose a major of study, career values, and satisfaction with the major affect immersion within the major. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire on choice of major and career values was completed by 224 students from March 2nd to March 15th of 2022. The collected data were analyzed using several metrics and tests with IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 software: frequency and percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and linear regression. Results: The average scores of the motive to choose a major, career values, satisfaction with the major, and immersion in the major were 3.15, 3.91, 3.56, and 3.45, respectively. There were significant correlations between all four variables (p<0.05). Career values and satisfaction with the major positively influenced a student's immersion in that major; the explanatory power of the model was 77% (p<0.01). Conclusion: The department should offer education on career values to further increase the immersion of dental technician students within their chosen major.

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare the Vickers hardness on the denture acrylic resins using the glaze color system. Methods: The specimens (20×2 mm) were prepared by mixing according to the manufacturer’s protocols through thermal polymerization and self-polymerization. The surface roughness was measured using a testing machine after water-soaking for 48 hours. For the Vickers hardness measurement, the completed specimen was soaked in water for 48 hours and then applied at 200 gf for 30 seconds. Was the specimen immersed after being soaked in water for 48 hours at temperatures of 5℃ and 55℃, respectively, for 30 seconds for the thermos-cycling treatment, and it was carried out 5,000 times. Results: Surface roughness was higher in the more glazing group than in the control group. A significant difference was observed in all groups, except for the Retec Don 2000 and Luciton 199 groups (p<0.05). As a result of measuring the Vickers hardness, the treatment by glaze color showed slightly lower but the thermo-cycling treatment group appeared higher than control group in all. Conclusion: Therefore, the glaze color was found to affect the surface roughness and showed a significant difference. The surface glaze color showed a very high Vickers hardness after the thermo-cycling treatment, indicating that the surface-strengthening effect is greater in the oral environment.