Background: Dental hygienists, who play a vital role in promoting oral health, experience burnout due to various factors. This study aimed to identify these factors through a scoping review of the literature on burnout among dental hygienists in Korea to develop prevention and intervention strategies for burnout. Methods: The literature review was conducted following a scoping review protocol, which included five stages: identifying the literature question, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting the data, summarizing, and reporting the results. Of the 352 documents initially reviewed, 35 were ultimately selected as final studies. These documents were analyzed to identify general characteristics and key variables related to burnout and to review the recommendations made by the studies. Results: Analysis of the final documents revealed that most studies published between 2013 and 2018 involved sample sizes ranging from 201 to 300 participants. Burnout-related characteristics include age, salary, work experience, and marital status. Emotional labor was the key variable most frequently identified, followed by intention to leave, job stress, job satisfaction, job involvement, and self-efficacy. Conclusion This study suggests that strategies for preventing and intervening in burnout should be developed through both personal efforts and institutional measures. This approach will improve the work environment for dental hygienists and, consequently, enhance the quality of dental healthcare services.

Background: This study aimed to analyze trends in qualitative research within the field of dental hygiene, focusing on paperspublished in Korean journals from 2000 to 2023. As dental hygienists play a crucial role in preventive oral health, understanding the breadth and depth of qualitative research in this field is essential for advancing practice and education. Methods: This descriptive survey research study analyzed 23 qualitative studies using the Consolidated Criteria for ReportingQualitative Research (COREQ) as a framework. Studies were selected through a comprehensive search of Korean databases. The analysis covered research topics, participant types, methodological approaches, and adherence to COREQ domains, including“Research Team and Reflexivity,” “Study Design,” and “Analysis and Findings.” Results: The analysis revealed that most studies employed a phenomenological methodology (36.4%). Additionally, 87.0% of thestudies mentioned Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and only 8.7% utilized qualitative data analysis software. The studies primarily focused on oral care for the elderly, communication, and the experiences of dental hygienists. Furthermore, 95.7% of the studies included participant quotations, but only 56.5% checked data saturation. Conclusion This study highlights the need for a more diverse methodological approach in dental hygiene research. Journalsshould also emphasize strict adherence to IRB guidelines and encourage the use of qualitative data analysis software to enhance the rigor of research. By strengthening the systematic foundation of qualitative research in dental hygiene, the field can better address clinical challenges and expand the understanding of dental hygienists’ work environments.

Background: This study aimed to identify the present level and needs of clinical dental hygienists and to present the Borich needsassessment and the locus for focus model as integrated priorities. Methods: The participants of this study were dental hygienists working in dental clinics (hospitals). The final data of the 194 participants were analyzed using frequency analysis and a paired sample t-test. To analyze the need for clinical dental hygienists to perform work, the Borich priority determination formula was used. The x-y plane consisting of four quadrants was used to analyze the need using the locus for focus model, which helps to determine the priority while showing visual effects. Results: “Scaling” was the highest required level for clinical dental hygienists, and “panorama taking” was the highest present level.The priorities of educational needs were systematically and visually derived from dental hygienists who were currently working through the Borich needs assessment and the locus for focus model for each task performed in the clinical field. Through the priorities of these two models, a total of 13 items appeared in the common high-level area; “oral health care (disability),” “oral health care (systemic disease),” “applying a rubber dam,” “professional mechanical tooth cleaning,” “root planing,” “taking vital signs,” “medication counseling,” “wire cutting,” “removing cement after removing band/bracket,” “delivering bracket,” “preparing mini-screw implantation,” “dental insurance claim,” and “patient reception.” Conclusion Based on the results, the department of dental hygiene should maintain and improve the standardized clinical practice curriculum and clinical dental hygienists’ practical skills and contribute to the realization of the legal scope of dental hygienists, reflecting the requirements of clinical fields.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of department satisfaction and career maturity on the perceived health status, relationship, and self-efficacy of dental hygiene college students based on Alderfer’s existence-relationship-growth theory. Methods: We obtained convenience samples of dental hygiene students in Daejeon and Chungnam areas; 241 questionnaires were collected from 250 persons considering the dropout rate and used for the final analysis except for 9 careless responses. The differences in perceived health status, relationship, self-efficacy, department satisfaction, and career maturity according to general characteristics were analyzed using a t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Moreover, structural equation modeling was performed to confirm the variables. GFI, AGFI,CFI, RMR, RMSEA, TLI, and NFI indices were calculated to verify the fitness of the path model. Results: There were significant differences in self-efficacy, department satisfaction, career maturity according to grade, and significant differences in academic performance for all variables except relationship. The school system also had a significant effect on department satisfaction. Perceived health status, relationship, self-efficacy, department satisfaction, and career maturity demonstrated statistically significant positive correlations (p＜0.05). The factors affecting department satisfaction were relationship and self-efficacy. The indirect and total effects of perceived health status and relationship on career maturity were not statistically significant; however, the indirect and total effects of self-efficacy on career maturity were statistically significant. Conclusion It is necessary to develop teaching methods according to student management plans for dental hygiene by comprehensively perceived health status, relationship, and self-efficacy affecting department satisfaction and career maturity.

Background: The clinical features of pediatric rhabdomyolysis differ from those of the adults with rhabdomyolysis; however, multicenter studies are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of pediatric rhabdomyolysis and reveal the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in such cases. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of children and adolescents diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis at 23 hospitals in South Korea between January 2007 and December 2016. Results: Among 880 patients, those aged 3 to 5 years old composed the largest subgroup (19.4%), and all age subgroups were predominantly male. The incidence of AKI was 11.3%. Neurological disorders (53%) and infection (44%) were the most common underlying disorder and cause of rhabdomyolysis, respectively. The median age at diagnosis in the AKI subgroup was older than that in the non-AKI subgroup (12.2 years vs. 8.0 years). There were no significant differences in body mass index, myalgia, dark-colored urine, or the number of causal factors between the two AKI-status subgroups. The multivariate logistic regression model indicated that the following factors were independently associated with AKI: multiorgan failure, presence of an underlying disorder, strong positive urine occult blood, increased aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid levels, and reduced calcium levels. Conclusions Our study revealed characteristic clinical and laboratory features of rhabdomyolysis in a Korean pediatric population and highlighted the risk factors for AKI in these cases. Our findings will contribute to a greater understanding of pediatric rhabdomyolysis and may enable early intervention against rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI.

Background: The number and curriculum of dental hygienists in Korea have dramatically increased. Controversies have since resulted from insufficient job descriptions of the work performed by a dental hygienist. A dentist's perception was examined to legally reflect the actual work of dental hygienists. Methods: Four hundred and nineteen dentists were surveyed about the duties of a dental hygienist. Their views on the career and availability of each job were examined. The duties of the dental hygienist include 13 items in dental treatment preparation, 14 items of radiography, 21 items of preventive dentistry, 6 items of periodontal treatment, 12 items of oral medicine, 12 items of conservative dentistry, 8 items of prosthetics, 10 items of orthodontics, 7 items of oral and maxillofacial surgery, 6 items of implantation, 6 items of impression taking and model fabrication, 5 items of anesthesia and injection, 11 items of management and administrative, and 3 items of self-development. Results: Most of the duties were doable by a dental hygienist. Many dentists reported that managing implants, oral hygiene of special patients, some duties in oral medicine, teeth brightening, making temporary crowns, making individual trays, selecting shades, ligaturing, and precision impressions need ≥3 years of experience. Duties perceived by dentists not to be performed by dental hygienists were reading radiographs (55.4%), suture and stitch out (48.0%), intramuscular injection (36.0%), root planning (27.2%), cementation and removal of prostheses (23.2%), and examining pulp vitality (22.0%). Conclusion Current laws are to be revised to include, the care provided by dental hygienists and under a physician’s supervision. Flexibility is also needed to cope with rapidly changing dental technology.

This study's aim was to investigate their opinions to improve the educational system for dental hygienists on the basis of their duties as dental hygienists. The qualitative study was conducted among 19 dental hygienists at Daejeon, Korea from July to August 2016. Two researchers followed each subject for working hours in a day and recorded all the tasks and time to take for each task. After one day, the researchers met each subject and conducted face-to-face interviews to investigate the opinions about the dental hygiene curriculum and national board examination. The main duties recognized by more than half of the subjects were oral disease prevention including scaling and dental treatment assistance. The subjects' minority opinion about the main duties included radiography, impression taking, dental implant surgery assistance, orthodontic treatment, patient counseling, dental management and staff management, and oral health education. The most important tasks perceived by the subjects were prosthetic and implant impressions, scaling and implant surgery assistance. The subjects' minority opinion about the most important duties included patient counseling and making temporary crowns. The most difficult tasks answered by the subjects were prosthetic and implant impressions and dental implant surgery assistance. The subjects' minority opinion about it included patient counseling, scaling, and making temporary crowns. They mentioned that their curriculum in college was different from the actual work and the national board examination was not reflective of their real duties. We found out Korean dental hygienists had a lot of roles as dental assistants, dental business managers, and so on. We suggest that the law, curriculum and national board examination for dental hygienists should be revised to be able to reflect the reality of the clinical field.
Commerce ; Counseling ; Crowns ; Curriculum ; Dental Assistants ; Dental Hygienists* ; Dental Implants ; Education* ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Licensure ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene* ; Radiography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colonoscopic surveillance is currently recommended after polypectomy owing to the risk of newly developed colonic neoplasia. However, few studies have investigated colonoscopy surveillance in Asia. This multicenter and prospective study was undertaken to assess the incidence of advanced adenoma based on baseline adenoma findings at 3 years after colonoscopic polypectomy. METHODS: A total of 1,323 patients undergoing colonoscopic polypectomy were prospectively assigned to 3-year colonoscopy surveillance at 11 tertiary endoscopic centers. Relative risks for advanced adenoma after 3 years were calculated according to baseline adenoma characteristics. RESULTS: Among 1,323 patients enrolled, 387 patients (29.3%) were followed up, and the mean follow-up interval was 31.0±9.8 months. The percentage of patients with advanced adenoma on baseline colonoscopy was higher in the surveillance group compared to the non-surveillance group (34.4% vs. 25.7%). Advanced adenoma recurrence was observed in 17 patients (4.4%) at follow-up. The risk of advanced adenoma recurrence was 2 times greater in patients with baseline advanced adenoma than in those with baseline non-advanced adenoma, though the difference was not statistically significant (6.8% [9/133] vs. 3.1% [8/254], P=0.09). Advanced adenoma recurrence was observed only in males and in subjects aged ≥50 years. In contrast, adenoma recurrence was observed in 187 patients (48.3%) at follow-up. Male sex, older age (≥50 years), and multiple adenomas (≥3) at baseline were independent risk factors for adenoma recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: A colonoscopy surveillance interval of 3 years in patients with baseline advanced adenoma can be considered appropriate.
Adenoma ; Asia ; Colon ; Colonic Polyps ; Colonoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors

Bacterial infection and smoking are an important risk factors involved in the development and progression of periodontitis. However, the signaling mechanism underlying the host immune response is not fully understood in periodontal lesions. In this study, we determined the expression of janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) on Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and nicotine-induced cytotoxicity and the production of inflammatory mediators, using osteoblasts. The cells were cultured with 5 mM nicotine in the presence of 1 µg/ml LPS. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. The role of JAK on inflammatory mediator expression and production, and the regulatory mechanisms involved were assessed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. LPS- and nicotine synergistically induced the production of cyclooxgenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and increased the protein expression of JAK/STAT. Treatment with an JAK inhibitor blocked the production of COX-2 and PGE₂ as well as the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 in LPS- and nicotine-stimulated osteoblasts. These results suggest that JAK/STAT is closely related to the LPS- and nicotine-induced inflammatory effects and is likely to regulate the immune response in periodontal disease associated with dental plaque and smoking.
Bacterial Infections ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Survival ; Cytokines ; Dental Plaque ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Inflammation* ; Interleukin-6 ; Necrosis ; Nicotine ; Osteoblasts* ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontitis ; Phosphotransferases ; Porphyromonas gingivalis* ; Porphyromonas* ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Transducers

The aim of this study was to analyze in depth the standardized Clinical dental hygiene curriculum of the Fones School in the United States. We investigated the clinical dental hygiene curriculum in 2015~2016 including title, credit, hours, contents, goals, competencies, and evaluation. We obtained the course syllabus and data related to each subject, for each grade, from the professors and students at the university. The goals and competencies, of the clinical dental hygiene program, which were based on the goals of the Fones School and the mission of the University of Bridgeport, were developed in accordance with the dental hygienist practice standards proposed by the American Dental Hygienists Association. The curriculum consisted of theory to teach proper dental hygiene care procedures and incorporated practical exercises that modeled an actual clinical setting. The students had to document the procedures performed for each client/patient and improve their clinical competency through discussion with the professors. Dental hygiene care should be provided for children, adolescents, adults, elderly, and patients, which includes patients with moderate or severe periodontal status. Students were evaluated by a paper test or case study presentation and their clinical evaluation was based on their clinical competency. In particular, professors evaluated students on a rotational basis, so they could evaluate the level of achievement of clinical competency of all students and find ways to improve any weaknesses. Therefore, the current study suggested that clinical dental hygiene program in Korea could be improved if based on the curriculum of Fones School in the United States.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Clinical Competence ; Curriculum* ; Dental Hygienists ; Exercise ; Humans ; Korea* ; Oral Hygiene* ; United States*