2025 Volume 41 Issue 2 Pages 23-33
Abstract In general, dental hygienist students in Japan receive their training at universities, junior colleges and vocational schools through lectures, simulated training, mutual training and clinical training. However, few studies have examined the differences in training content across the three types of institution. A study was conducted using questionnaires to assess the 125 content of dental hygiene practice. It assumed that the level of actual experience increases in the following order : lectures, simulated training, mutual training and clinical training. The actual experience level of the content at each training institution was then quantified and comparatively analyzed by institution type. The study found that few aspects of the training content offered students a high level of first-hand experience. Only a few aspects of the training content exhibited statistically significant differences across institutions. Overall, approximately 80％ of the training content is taught predominantly through lectures across institutions. University students receive more hands-on experience in tasks requiring comprehensive abilities and advanced dental treatments. Junior college students gain greater experience in independent dental hygiene tasks. Vocational school students generally have lower overall hands-on experience compared to university and junior college students. However, they gain higher levels of practical experience in technical skills that allow them to perform routine dental treatments in place of dentists.
