Diffusion of Knowledge Related to Systemic Disease among Dental Hygienists

Kim, Young Jin; Lim, Soon Ryun

Abstract

This study was aimed to identify the diffusion of systemic disease-related knowledge among dental hygienists. Two hundreds and eleven dental hygienists were selected for the study. Data was collected between August 31, 2015 and September 20, 2015 by handing out questionnaires. Returned questionnaires were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANOVA. Dental hygienists showed overall mean of 0.64 on the systemic disease related knowledge. Age, education level, career, and educational experience showed significant influence on the systemic disease knowledge (p<0.01). Dental hygienists revealed overall mean of 0.61 (full mark=1) on the usefulness recognition of systemic disease related knowledge. Age (p<0.001), education level (p<0.01), career (p<0.001), and educational experience (p<0.01) showed significant effects on the usefulness recognition of systemic disease knowledge. Degree of how dental hygienists apply the systemic disease-related knowledge to the service was mean 0.86 (full mark=2). Age (p<0.01), education level (p<0.01), career (p<0.01), and educational experience (p<0.001) had significant impacts on how dental hygienists apply the systemic disease related knowledge to the service. The diffusion of systemic disease knowledge among dental hygienists was 2.17, which represented "˜persuade'. These results indicated that a study is needed to understand the diffusion of systemic disease knowledge among dental hygienists and to identify obstacles in the process. Moreover, an education program should be developed to offer practical training on the systemic disease-related knowledge. Further studies should evaluate the effectiveness of the program.