지역아동센터 돌봄교사의 구강보건교육 요구도와 관련 요인 분석

Oral Health Education Needs and Associated Factors among Care Teachers at Community Child Centers

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the oral health education needs of care teachers at community children’s centers and to identify factors influencing these needs. Methods: Data were collected from 245 care teachers using a self-administered questionnaire that used a 5-point Likert scale to measure oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and education needs. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multiple regression were conducted using SPSS 27.0. Results: Overall, care teachers had high oral health education needs. Significant differences were observed in education needs according to marital status, education level, and professional qualifications, with married staff, those with graduate-level education, and certified childcare teachers showing higher scores. Correlation analysis revealed positive relationships between education needs and knowledge (r= .216, p<.001), attitudes (r= .289, p<.001), and behaviors (r= .246, p<.001). Multiple regression showed that attitudes (β= .206, p=.001) and behaviors (β= .190, p=.009) significantly influenced education needs, whereas knowledge did not. Conclusions: These findings suggest that practica oral health education strategies focusing on attitudes and behaviors are essential to enhance the competencies of care teachers and to improve the effectiveness of children’s oral health management.