Improvement of Workplace Environment That Affects Motivation of Japanese Dental Hygienists

Abstract

Dental hygienists are in high demand due to insufficient workforce and a lack of an effective reinstatement support system. We investigated the reasons for willingness to work by analyzing the survey results of the employment status of Japanese dental hygienists conducted by Japan Dental Hygienists’ Association. In total, we mailed 16,113 questionnaires to all members of the association (response rate 53.4%). We carried out statistical analysis to determine the specific items to improve the hygienists’ working environment. Fourteen factors of working conditions that they wish to improve were determined. Structural equation modeling showed that a path, “Reduction of work volume”, “Reduction of working hours” and “Increased number of holidays” were higher than other items. A decision analysis demonstrated that most of the respondents answered “Yes” to “Improvement in working conditions including higher salary” out of those who answered, “Strongly disagree” for “Do you feel that dental hygienist work is rewarding?”. Improving workplace environment is integral to keeping high levels of work motivation and a low turnover rate. Most of the hygienists wish for a salary raise among all the conditions. The transition from conventional work styles to non-conventional flexible working patterns is needed.

Identification and assessment of factors that impact the demand for and supply of dental hygienists amidst an evolving workforce context: a scoping review

“…Finally, another series of articles focused on various enablers or components of dental hygienist job/career satisfaction. This included two from Korea [ 76 , 77 ], and one each from Australia [ 78 ], Japan [ 79 ] and the USA [ 80 ].…”

Factors Affecting the Career Continuation of Newly Graduated and Reinstated Dental Hygienists Who Participated in a Technical Training Program in Japan

“…Anxiety about lack of skills and knowledge may not arise after becoming a dental hygienist, but rather before becoming a dental hygienist. Similarly, in surveys of dental hygienists in Japan, 30–47% of them also indicated a lack of their own skills as a barrier to returning to work [ 37 , 38 ]. Furthermore, these studies focused on Japan, and no reports from other countries were found in our literature review.…”

“…Several previous studies have reported that the work environment of Japanese dental hygienists must be improved [ 13 , 15 , 37 , 38 ]. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2021, Japan’s overall score in 2021 on the Gender Gap Index was 120 out of 156 countries [ 40 ].…”

Does Job Satisfaction Affect Work Environment, Leadership, and Organizational Culture with Motivation as a Mediator ?

“…Directly the work environment will affect organizational culture (Buhori et al, 2019). As with Motivation, managing a workplace environment that is healthier, safer, and more comfortable is an integral part of maintaining employee motivation so that it can reduce the turnover of employees in the company (Yamamoto et al, 2021). H1 There is an influence of the work environment on Motivation.…”