Influence of Dental Hygienists’ Core Competencies on Job Performance

Abstract

This study targeted 123 dental hygienists working at the university and dental hospital as well as the dental clinic in Busan. The study ran for 5 months beginning July 23, 2016. The purpose of the study was to understand the relationship between core competencies and job performance for dental hygienists. The major core competencies of dental hygienists were interpersonal relation competency (3.61) was the highest, followed by management and educational competency (3.59), organizational relation competency (3.57), and basic dental hygiene management competency (3.56). Regarding the subjects' job performance, 'the task requested by a boss could be finished by the deadline' (3.93) was the highest, followed by 'there has been no case where others were harmed owing to carelessness' (3.76). 'The performance exceeding the targets set by the boss' (3.11) was relatively low. The group working for dental hospitals showed higher job performance than the group working for dental clinics (p=0.009) while there were high correlations between core competencies and job performance (p=0.733). Also, analysis for understanding relevant variables of core competencies that affected job performance revealed that the interpersonal relation competency (p=0.25), self-control competency (p=0.32), and basic dental hygiene competency (p=0.15) were significant. In summary, reinforcement of the dental hygienists' core competencies has a positive effect on job performance. Improved job performance in turn should improve patient care as well as the performance of the healthcare organization overall which will be eventually helpful to the provision of high-quality medical service to patients, and helpful for the hospital organization Helpful in making their performance better. Therefore, it would be necessary to establish administrative/educational support to facilitate dental hygiene education to develop major competencies and vocational basic abilities, as well as reinforce diverse competency educational programs for the current dental hygienists.

Educational Needs for Clinical Dental Hygienists’ Dental Hygiene Core Competencies

“…This study investigated the educational requirements for dental hygiene core competencies that students must have before graduation in order to strengthen their competency [9]. Temporary filling and removal (3.43±1.40), toothbrushing education (3.38±1.36), and dental radiography (3.36±1.37) responded in order of proficiency.…”

The Subjective Musculoskeletal Symptoms of Dental Hygienists According to Their Treatment Posture

“…Regarding the body regions related to the subjective musculoskeletal pains of those working in treatment room, 79.1% had subjective pains on the shoulders, 73.6% on the neck, and 71.5% on the waist. As for those working in patient consultation room, 80.2% subjective pains on the shoulders, 72.4% on the neck, and 66.4% on the waist [8]. Table 1 shows the distribution made according to the study subject's general characteristics.…”

Influence of Dental Hygienist’s Job Satisfaction, Psychological Ownership, and Job Engagement on Job Performance

“…Job performance evaluates job performance and includes task performance, service quality, and contextual performance 4) . Various causes were suggested for job performance, and Park and Lee 5) stated that interpersonal relationship competency, self-regulation competency, and basic dental hygiene management competency affect the job performance of dental hygienists. Kim and Han 6) stated that patient orientation, relationship management ability, age, social awareness ability, and hospital type affect job performance.…”