Clinical training and career planning of dental hygienist students in Jeju province

Abstract

This study analyzed the effects of clinical training on career planning of dental hygienist students in Jeju province. A total of 112 students completed a self-administered online survey. Statistical analyses, including frequency analysis, independent t-test, oneway analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis were done using SPSS 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Satisfaction of clinical training (p=0.032) and major (p=0.007) of 2nd-year students were significantly higher than that of 3rd-year students. Satisfaction of clinical training (p=0.033) and clinical training institution (p=0.027) in a hospital setting were significantly higher than in private practice. Willingness to work as a dental hygienist (p=0.024) and willingness to work after marriage (p=0.004) of 2nd-year students were significantly higher than those of 3rd-years students. According to multiple regression analysis, explanatory powers of clinical training-related variables on "Willingness to work as dental hygienist" were 55.9% (p<0.001) in 2nd-year and 43.6% (p<0.001) in 3rd-year students. Explanatory powers of the variables on "Willingness to work after marriage" were 27.7% (p=0.001) in 2nd-year and 37.3% (p<0.001) in 3rd-year students. Explanatory powers of the variables on "Desired retirement age" were 33.8% (p<0.001) in 3rd-year students only. Although the study was limited in Jeju province, clinical training-related factors influenced the future career plans of dental hygienist students. It seems prudential to consider such findings in designing a dental hygienist education curriculum.