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KMID : 1023420120120040383
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Journal of Dental Hygiene Science
2012 Volume.12 No. 4 p.383 ~ p.391
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Ethical Dilemma and Empowerment among Dental Hygienists in Some Regions
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Kim Mi-Jeong
Park In-Suk
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Abstract
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The purpose of this study was to examine the ethical dilemma of dental hygienists and the level of empowerment among them in an attempt to provide some information on how to alleviate the ethical dilemma of dental hygienists to boost their empowerment. The findings of the study were as follows: The dental hygienists got a mean of 1.58 out of possible four points in ethical dilemma. Among the subfactors of ethical dilemma, they scored highest in ethical dilemma about dental hygienists and profession (1.79), followed by dental hygienists and patients (1.53), life reverence and respect for human rights (1.51) and dental hygienists and cooperators (1.49). As for the general characteristics of the dental hygienists, those who were better educated and who intended to temporarily work just until marriage fell into a more ethical dilemma. The dental hygienists got a mean of 3.05 out of possible five points in empowerment. Among the subfactors of it, they scored highest in support structure (3.52), opportunity structure (3.18), information structure (3.08) and resources structure (3.04). There were significant gaps among the dental hygienists in empowerment according to their attitude toward the dental hygienist job as a profession. There was a significant negative correlation between ethical dilemma and empowerment. Regarding influential factors for the ethical dilemma of the dental hygienists, marital status and empowerment were identified as significantly influential factors, and empowerment had a significant relationship to age, academic credential and ethical dilemma. Given the findings of the study, the development of various intervention programs and empowerment-boosting strategies is required to relieve dental hygienists of ethical dilemma.
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KEYWORD
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Dental hygienist, Empowerment, Ethical dilemma
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