Analysis of Factors Related to Working Status of Dental Hygienists in Japan

Hiroko Miura, Rumi Tano, Katsuo Oshima and Yoshie Usui
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Hiroko Miura: Division of Disease Control and Epidemiology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Hokkaido 061-0293, Japan
Rumi Tano: Department of Health Promotion, National Institute of Public Health, Wako 351-0197, Japan
Katsuo Oshima: Department of Dental Technology, The Nippon Dental University College at Tokyo, Tokyo 102-0071, Japan
Yoshie Usui: Department of Oral Health, Faculty of Nursing and Welfare, Kyushu University of Nursing and Social Welfare, Kumamoto 865-0062, Japan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-9

Abstract: The super-aged society of Japan is experiencing an increased demand for dental hygienists, of which there is currently a shortage. This study aimed to investigate the factors related to the working status of dental hygienists in Japan. We conducted a survey by mailing a questionnaire on employment to 1444 dental hygienists and obtained 537 valid responses. We conducted a bivariate analysis using either a chi-square test or t -test as well as a multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the factors related to working status. The overall employment rate was 68.2%, with a significant difference between age groups ( p < 0.01). Approximately 80% of respondents considered working hours and human relations at the workplace to be important, and more than 70% of respondents considered wages as important. Finally, the following four variables were found to be significantly associated with employment status: training course attendance, a desire to work full-time, consideration of wages as important, and consideration of working hours as important. These findings suggest that it is necessary to improve working conditions and environments, including wages and working hours, as well as provide a more robust system of continued professional development for dental hygienists to increase the workforce.

Keywords: dental hygienists; employment status; early leave; oral health management; working conditions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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