1998 Volume 36 Issue 1 Pages 22-28
We sent a questionnaire to 55 dental hygienists who are members of the Japanese Society of the Pediatric Dentistry and surveyed their relationship with pediatric dentistry, the contents of their job and thier requirments toward the Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry. As a result, the following conclusions were obtained from responses of 21 dental hygienists.
1. Among the personal questions, half of the responders did not consider continuing their job after marriage.
2.2/3 of the responders worked at public or private institutions, and the remaining 1/3 worked at practitioners mainly specializing in pediatric dentistry or orthodontic dentistry.
3. Most of their responders were engaged in dental health guidance, and most of those working at practitioners conducted treatment by touching the inside of the oral cavity directry with their hands such as when applying fluoride and sealant.
4. About 43% of the responders had made a presentation at the Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentisry.
5. Their requirements toward the Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentisry were a decrease in the burden of the membership fee, setting of a place for publication by dental hyginists, and formation of an environment facilitating their participation. As the ideal of each member, they aimed at becoming health professionals acquiring not only knowledge about the oral cavity as one unit but also a broader knowledge and regarding children as one person thereby respecting their respective personalities.
