Impact of Working Environment on Job Satisfaction: Findings from a Survey of Japanese Dental Hygienists

Ayako Okada, Yuki Ohara, Yuko Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Nomura, Noriyasu Hosoya, Nobuhiro Hanada and Noriko Takei
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Ayako Okada: Department of Operative Dentistry, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-8501, Japan
Yuki Ohara: Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Yuko Yamamoto: Department of Endodontology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-8501, Japan
Yoshiaki Nomura: Department of Translational Research, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-8501, Japan
Noriyasu Hosoya: Department of Endodontology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-8501, Japan
Nobuhiro Hanada: Department of Translational Research, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Yokohama 230-8501, Japan
Noriko Takei: Japanese Dental Hygienists’ Association, Tokyo 169-0071, Japan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-11

Abstract: In Japan, there is currently a shortage of dental hygienists. The number of dental hygienists as a workforce at dental clinical practice is not sufficient. Several factors affect career retention and job satisfaction of hygienists and these factors are considered to correlate with each other to construct networks. The aim of this study was to present a structural model of job satisfaction of Japanese dental hygienists and to determine the characteristics of unmotivated hygienists. The Japan Dental Hygienists’ Association has conducted a survey on their working environments every five years since 1981. Questionnaires were sent to all members of the association (16,113) and 8932 answers were returned. The data of 3807 active dental hygienists who worked at clinics were analyzed. Items associated with job satisfaction were derived from two latent variables, namely, the intrinsic psychosocial factors for the value of the work and extrinsic employment advantage. Based on the structural equation modeling, the association of value was higher than that of advantage. Most of the hygienists wished to continue working as dental hygienists. More than 60% felt their work required a high level of expertise. The value of the profession is deeply rooted in job satisfaction, motivation, and job retention of Japanese dental hygienists. Working environments where dental hygienists make great use of their specialized skills can lead to high career retention which prevent them from taking career breaks.

Keywords: dental hygienist; job satisfaction; career retention; daily tasks; working environments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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