Elderly Welfare System and Role of Dental Hygienists in Korea and Japan

Abstract

In accordance with the aged society, oral health care for the elderly is considered important to maintain general health. Although the role of dental hygienists is essential for proper health management of the oral cavity, research on the care system for the elderly people's oral health and on the role of dental hygienists in the field of elderly welfare is still insufficient. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the status of Korean elderly welfare system and dental hygienists by comparing them with those in Japan, a precedent of aged society. First, we compared and investigated the Japanese long-term insurance system, which provides an institutional basis for a long-term care system for the elderly in Korea. Second, the elderly welfare law and care system, focusing on oral care, were examined. Lastly, in elderly care, we analyzed the distinctions between Korea and Japan regarding dental hygienists' role and scope of work. Taken together, as a precedent of aged society, Japan has shown well-specialized and systematic welfare for the elderly compared with Korea. With the development of the welfare system for the elderly in Japan, the role and the work scope of dental hygienists have been expanded to improve quality of life of elderly people, as a key professional for elderly oral care. Therefore, we should perceive the need for improvement of long-term care insurance and the expansion of dental hygienists' work in Korea. In conclusion, these results could be used as basic data for improving the elderly welfare system and developing dental hygienists in Korea.

Clinical Competency of Dental Hygiene Students to Manage Disabled Patients in Some Areas

“…이러한 상황에 대한 해결책으로 일본의 장애인 구강보건 과 치과진료를 소개하는 수 편의 논문이 있다. 일본은 학부 과정에서의 교육과 제도적 뒷받침이 있으며 19) 진료에 있어 서 한국과 가장 큰 차이점은 방문진료가 가능하다는 것이다 20) . 일본은 치의학과와 치위생학과 모두 학부과정에서 장애인 치과학 수업을 통해 장애의 사회적 개념, 의학적 특성, 치과 진료의 특징에서부터 섭식연하장애, 사회복지시스템에 이 르기까지 광범위한 내용을 학습하고 특수치과진료실 내의 임상실습을 통해서 실제를 익힌다고 한다 19) .…”

Suggestions for the Work of Dental Hygienists and a Reflection of Health Insurance Charges according to Demographic Changes

“…The characteristics of the Korean population by era show that the population surged around 1960 due to the high birth rate. Between the 1960s and 1990s, the rate of population growth slowed as the birth rate decreased because of family planning, improvement in education, and the entry of women into the society 1,2) . Since the 2000s, the birth rate has declined due to changes in the value of marriage and avoidance of childbirth; furthermore, an increase in life expectancy owing to developments in medicine and the economic growth led to aging 3) .…”