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

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.

Effects of the 4C Core Competencies on Work Ability among Dental Hygienists

“…Critical thinking refers to making the best decision by understanding the logical structure and meaning of information and considering evidence and methods in determining whether to accept a certain opinion and to take a certain action 8) . A significant positive correlation was observed between critical thinking ability and problem-solving ability as well as job performance among dental hygienists 9) , and when critical thinking propensity is high in the nursing domain, a decision can be made quickly and efficiently in a high-risk situation relevant to clinical competence and patient safety 10) .…”

Analysis of Difference in Importance and Need for Basic Core Competence of Clinical Dental Hygienists

“…In particular, core competencies mean the required knowledge, skills, and attitude of the learners to solve the problems efficiently in multiple situations and they should be basic, common and integrative competencies that everyone can achieve by education rather than individuals' own unique ones 4) . This study was aimed to provide the basic data to develop competent future dental hygienists by deducting the basic core competencies required for their job upon investigating the importance and needs on the basic core competencies in the subjects with dental hygienists who Lee et al 13) reported that critical thinking style and problem-solving skill of dental hygienists affected their job performances directly. Above all, 44.1% of this study subjects were working in 'supporting clinical dentistry.'…”

Effects of Problem-Based Learning on the Problem-Solving Ability and Self-Efficacy of Students Majoring in Dental Hygiene

“…Relevant studies reported that the PBL process improved the self-efficacy and problem-solving ability of students in medicine, dentistry, and nursing [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Other studies also reported that self-efficacy exerted an influence on job commitment and major satisfaction [ 14 , 15 ], whereas problem-solving ability helped improve job performance [ 16 ]. Given these results, educational methods, such as PBL, should be reflected to improve the self-efficacy and problem-solving ability of Dental Hygiene students.…”