The Effects of Critical Thinking Disposition and Problem Solving Ability on the Work Performance Assessment of Dental Hygienists

Lee, Ji Eun; Lee, Su Young; Kim, Hyun Jin

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to improve work performance conducted at an actual clinical site by determining the relationship among critical thinking disposition, problem solving ability, and work performance. In this study, 335 dental hygienists completed self-administered survey. Final analysis was conducted with a total of 331 responses, excluding 4 questionnaire with unreliable responses and non-responses. The results indicated that as the age, educational background, and work experience of the subjects increased, their critical thinking disposition and problem solving ability scores increased and were statistically significant. For work performance, average total score was high for age, educational background and work experience, but only age and work experience were statistically significant. Critical thinking disposition, problem solving ability and work performance of the subject were relevant, and all of them were significant. Work performance was also influenced indirectly by mediating problem solving ability in critical thinking disposition. In other words, both direct and indirect effects were significant, and the existence of partial moderating effect was verified. Thus, in order to improve work performance of dental hygienists, a multilevel educational process that can simultaneously improve critical thinking disposition and problem solving ability of dental hygienists needs to be developed. Therefore, it is expected that the new dental hygiene company will be able to perform without any sense of disparity in the clinical field; this will solve the gap between dental hygiene education and practical skills.