치위생(학)과 학생들의 임상수행능력과 임상실습만족도가 진로결정 수준에 미치는 영향

The Impact of Dental Hygiene Students' Clinical Competence and Clinical Practice Satisfaction on Their Career Decision-Making Levels

Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze the effects of clinical performance ability and clinical practice satisfaction on the career decision-making of dental hygiene students, with the aim of exploring ways to improve the quality of clinical training within the dental hygiene curriculum and developing effective measures to support students in their career decisions. Methods: The study involved second grade, third grade dental hygiene students from four universities who completed clinical training at dental hospitals and clinics located in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon provinces between July 22 and August 23, 2024. Data were collected through an online survey using Google Forms. Results: The clinical performance ability of dental hygiene students was higher in students with higher grade levels, better academic performance, and greater satisfaction with their major, showing statistically significant results (p<0.001). Among the students, higher satisfaction with their major was associated with greater satisfaction with clinical practice. Moreover, clinical practice satisfaction appeared to be positively related to the level of career decision-making, indicating that students who were more satisfied with their clinical experiences tended to demonstrate higher career decision-making levels (p<0.001). Clinical performance did not affect the level of career decision-making. However, clinical practice satisfaction had a statistically significant positive effect on career decision-making (p<0.001). Conclusions: Positive clinical experiences that enhance students' clinical performance skills can strengthen their professional pride and confidence as dental hygienists, facilitating clearer career decision-making. Thus, improving the quality of clinical practice and fostering an educational environment that increases student satisfaction may contribute to enhanced career decision-making among dental hygiene students.