Factors Affecting the Reinstatement of the Japanese Dental Hygienist: A Japanese Dental Hygienist Survey Conducted in 2019

Ayako Okada, Yoshiaki Nomura, Yuki Ohara, Yuko Yamamoto, Noriyasu Hosoya, Nobuhiro Hanada and Noriko Takei
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Ayako Okada: Department of Translational Research, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-5801, Japan
Yoshiaki Nomura: Department of Translational Research, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-5801, Japan
Yuki Ohara: Japan Dental Hygienists’ Association, Tokyo 169-0071, Japan
Yuko Yamamoto: Department of Endodontology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-5801, Japan
Noriyasu Hosoya: Department of Endodontology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-5801, Japan
Nobuhiro Hanada: Department of Translational Research, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-5801, Japan
Noriko Takei: Japan Dental Hygienists’ Association, Tokyo 169-0071, Japan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: There is a shortage of dental hygienists for dental clinics in Japan. An ideal solution would be for dormant dental hygienists to re-enter the workforce. In this study, we identified the obstacles preventing these dental hygienists from re-entering the workforce. The Japan Dental Hygienists’ Association surveyed all 16,113 members about their working conditions. Among the 101 items in the questionnaire, 11 items specifically targeted the reasons why dental hygienists leave their jobs. Among 8780 responses (54.5%), 1063 were from members who had resigned from jobs as dental hygienists. Three hundred and fifty-five (34.4%) answered “Yes” to the question “I would like to return to work if conditions are satisfactory.” The most frequent cause for leaving a job was” Childbirth and child-rearing” (16.9%). “Working status/working hours” (15.7%) was the main obstacle to re-entry. Furthermore, dental hygienists with intentions to re-enter decided to leave their jobs most frequently because of “Childbirth and child-rearing” and “Working status/working hours.” Improvement of the social support system for dental hygienists is required to ensure a sufficient supply of dental health services.

Keywords: dental hygienist; reinstatement; working environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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