Impact of Conventional and Electronic Cigarette Use on the Adolescents’ Experience of Periodontal Disease Symptoms

( Eunsuk Ahn ),( Jin-ha Lee ) 한국치위생과학회 2021 치위생과학회지 Vol.21 No.3

Background: Smoking in adolescence leads to an intensified addiction to nicotine when physical and mental growth has not yet been completed. With the advent of e-cigarettes, the rate of e-cigarette use among Korean adolescents has been steadily increasing. To date, studies on e-cigarettes and oral health, especially on the relationship between smoking styles and oral health in adolescents, are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the risk factors for oral health problems caused by the repeated use of conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Methods: This explanatory research study compared the adolescents’ experiences of periodontal disease symptoms according to smoking type through a secondary analysis of the original data from the 15th Adolescent Health Behavior Survey (2019). Cross-analysis was performed to compare the smoking patterns according to the adolescents’ general characteristics. Finally, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine how smoking characteristics affect the adolescents’ experience of periodontal disease symptoms. Results: In terms of patients’ general characteristics, significant differences were observed in sex, school level, grades, household economic status, type of residence, and father’s education level between adolescents who smoked conventional cigarettes alone and those who smoked both conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes (p<0.05). After checking the factors affecting the smoking pattern and the experience of periodontal disease symptoms in adolescents, it was found that the duplicate smoking group was more likely to experience periodontal disease symptoms (odds ratio, 1.20) than the group that smoked conventional cigarettes alone (p<0.05). Conclusion: Duplicate smokers experienced more symptoms of periodontal disease than those who smoked cigarettes alone. Based on the findings of this study, smoking cessation counseling according to the smoking type and differentiated education for oral health promotion should be provided.

The Utilization of Dental Hygienists in Oral Healthcare Exchanges between the South and North Korea

( Eunsuk Ahn ),( Ji-hyoung Han ),( Kyung-hee Kang ),( Young-eun Jang ),( Ki-ha Jeon ),( Jeong-ran Park ) 한국치위생과학회 2021 치위생과학회지 Vol.21 No.1

Background: This study aimed to identify the role of dental hygienists in exchanges between North and South Korea to lower gaps in the level of dental healthcare between the two countries by conducting a Delphi survey with specialists and identifying alternative policies regarding the utilization of dental hygienists in such exchanges. Methods: Two Delphi surveys were conducted with the participation of nine specialists, and descriptive statistical analyses including mean and standard deviation were performed on the collected data. Results: Among methods of exchange and cooperation regarding oral healthcare under the current North Korean medical system, the issue considered most urgent was the “establishment of oral healthcare infrastructure.” The most important short-term strategy was identified as the “selection and formation of partnerships in the field of inter-Korean oral health exchange and cooperation.” The mid-term strategy was identified as the “establishment of cooperation in the dental industry, centered on educational cooperation projects.” The long-term strategy included “joint R&D projects, oral health surveys, and business development.” In order to determine how best to use dental hygienists during inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, the respondents placed urgency on the “establishment of joint cooperation projects for oral health promotion and early examination and the treatment of dental diseases and planning of community research projects” and “the role of oral health education and media development for residents.” Conclusion: Cooperation is necessary regarding the preparation of oral healthcare exchanges that aim to encourage unity between North and South Korea and reduce the gaps between the North and South regarding oral health conditions. Therefore, continuous and reasonable discussions and research are needed regarding the utilization of dental hygienists in such exchanges.

The Relationship between Smartphone Use and Oral Health in Adolescents

( Eunsuk Ahn ),( Ji-hyoung Han ) 한국치위생과학회 2020 치위생과학회지 Vol.20 No.1

Background: Smartphones are a modern necessity. While they are convenient to use, smartphones also have side effects such as addiction. This study assessed the relationship between smartphone use, a part of everyday life in modern society, and oral health. Methods: An analysis was conducted using 2017 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey data. The propensity score estimation algorithm used logistic regression and 1:1 matching algorithm using nearest-neighbor matching. After matching, a total of 15,032 participants were classified into two groups containing 7,516 teenagers each who did and did not use smartphones, respectively. Results: Comparison of oral health behaviors according to smartphone use revealed a statistically significant difference in the frequency of tooth brushing per day, use of oral hygiene products, intake of foods harmful to oral health, and experience of oral health education (p<0.05). The factors affecting oral pain experience of adolescents were examined. Compared to male participants, female participants had an odds ratio of 1.627 for oral pain (p<0.05). According to the household income level, compared to the group with higher income, the group with lower income showed higher oral pain experience (p<0.05). Oral pain experience was 1.601 times more frequent among teenagers using smartphones (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that use of smartphones by adolescents affected their oral health. These findings indicate the need for improved oral health management through the use of effective school oral health programs and individual counseling by oral health professionals, promotion of information dissemination through public media, and development of prevention strategies.

Comparison of Factors Affecting Perceived and Objective Dental Needs

Eunsuk Ahn,한지형,Ki-Eun Kim 한국치위생과학회 2019 치위생과학회지 Vol.19 No.3

Background: With increased interest in oral health, several efforts have been made to improve oral health conditions. To achieve this, needs for oral health must be precisely determined and accurately measured. Therefore, factors influencing both objective unmet dental needs, which were determined by experts, and perceived unmet dental needs, which were determined by patients, were examined in this study. Methods: Responses of 17,735 respondents aged greater than 19 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey collected using the fifth (2010∼2012) rotation sample survey were analyzed. Based on the information collected from the survey and dental examination, we determined the associations between the independent (sex and socioeconomic level) and dependent variables using a chi-squared test. Moreover, ordinal logistic regression analyses on multiple categorical values were performed using perceived and objective dental needs as the dependent variables. Results: Generally, factors influencing both perceived and objective dental needs were similar. These included sex, household income, educational level, private insurance, and subjective oral health status. However, the high-income groups had lesser perceived and objective dental needs compared to the low-income groups. Furthermore, factors such as sex, educational level, and marital status had different influence on both needs. Conclusion: Generally, factors that affect perceived and objective dental needs were similar. To minimize unmet dental needs, factors influencing both perceived and objective dental needs should be examined for a broad dental insurance coverage, and efforts to prevent oral diseases are also required.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tooth Brushing and Handwashing of Adolescents: A Secondary Analayis of the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey (2019~2020)

Ahn, Eunsuk,Hwang, Ji-Min The Korean Society of Dental Hygiene Science 2022 치위생과학회지 Vol.22 No.3

Background: In this study, we investigated the changes and factors that affect daily health behaviors due to COVID-19 among adolescents. We intend to provide basic data so that a systematic and comprehensive health education program that includes physical and oral health can be made. Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis of the from the 2019 and 2020 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. A final sample of 112,251 participants was anlayzed using chi-square test, and ordinal logistic regression. Results: In the case of tooth brushing, the frequency of 'never' increased in most general characteristics compared to before COVID-19. In the case of handwashing, it was found that handwashing behavior increased (increased) after COVID-19 compared to before COVID-19. As a result of confirming the factors affecting tooth brushing behavior before and after COVID-19, it was found that girls brushed teeth 2.2 times more regularly after lunch than boys. As a result of adjusting all other factors, regular tooth brushing behavior after COVID-19 was reduced by 0.79 times compared to before COVID-19. Conclusion: It is judged that it is necessary to operate a comprehensive health management program in the school so that the most basic tooth brushing for oral health and handwashing for health can become a habit. In addition, by confirming the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on handwashing and tooth brushing behavior through this study, it is expected to be used in the development of policy data such as raising awareness of brushing and improving behaviors applicable in the current and upcoming new pandemic situations.

Impact of Social Support on Subjective Oral Health Status among Elderly People

Eunsuk Ahn,Jin-Ha Lee,Sun-Mi Kim 한국치위생과학회 2020 치위생과학회지 Vol.20 No.2

Background: Owing to the increase in the aging population, the health problems of the elderly have become important social problems. Social support has a positive effect on improving the quality of life and prolonging the life of elderly people. It is one of the major factors that affects the oral health status of elderly people. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between oral health status and social support in elderly people using representative data.Methods: In this study, data from a community health survey in 2015 involving 63,929 elderly people aged over 65 years were analyzed. T-test and ANOVA analyses were performed to compare the general characteristics of and perception about social support. Additionally, a linear regression analysis was performed to confirm the relationship between perceptions about social support and subjective oral health status.Results: We found that sex, age, household income, education level, the presence of a spouse, existence of an unmet dental need, and regular oral check-up had a significant effect on subjective oral health status (p<0.05). In addition, when controlled for all factors, social support has a significant impact on subjective oral health status.Conclusion: The findings indicate that social support is associated with the subjective oral health status of Korean elderly. This suggests that community-level or government investment is required to improve the oral health of the elderly. In particular, policy interventions such as the establishment of facilities that promote social networks, especially facilities based on friendship networks, are needed.

Factors Affecting Scaling Experiences of Adolescent Children from Multicultural and Native Families

Eunsuk Ahn,Jin-Young Yang,김기은 한국치위생과학회 2020 치위생과학회지 Vol.20 No.2

Background: Multicultural families are constantly on the rise as marriage migrants and foreign workers increase. Multicultural families appear to record poor health levels compared to native families. As health is a social issue, children of surviving generations of multicultural families are also a growing interest. This study was conducted to confirm the effect of multicultural families and parents’ educational level on the scaling experience of children.Methods: For this study, the 2016∼2018 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey data were used. In order to make the two groups of adolescents belonging to multicultural and native families similar, a total of 5,362 people were included in the survey, consisting of 2,681 individuals each from multicultural and native families using the propensity score matching method. Logistic analysis was performed to identify factors influencing the scaling experience of adolescent children.Results: The results confirm that, even after controlling for factors such as parents’ educational level, household income, and children’s oral health behavior, parents’ nationality appeared to have a statistically significant effect on their children’s scaling experience. In addition, it was confirmed that the experience of oral health education had a significant effect.Conclusion: Cultural heterogeneity and the lack of adequate language ability of immigrants affects health behavior and medical accessibility. Therefore, children from multicultural families are more likely to be exposed to unhealthy environments compared to the children of native Korean families. Based on an understanding of the socioeconomic multicultural background of individuals, education and public policy should be prepared to improve the awareness for the need for preventive oral health and provide unhindered accessibility to dental services.

구강 통증을 경험한 성인의 미충족 치과의료 관련 요인

안은숙 ( Eunsuk Ahn ),신명숙 ( Myong-suk Shin ) 한국치위생과학회 2016 치위생과학회지 Vol.16 No.5

본 연구는 우리나라 성인의 미충족 치과의료와 그에 관련요인을 파악하기 위해 진행되었다. 미충족 치과의료를 정의하는 데 있어 치과의료의 필요를 치통을 경험한 사람 중 적절한 치과 의료서비스에 접근하지 못한 사람으로 제한하여 의료 필요에 따른 충족을 보다 명확하기 측정하기 위해 노력하였다. 미충족 치과의료의 원인으로는 경제적 부담, 직업/학업적 이유, 다른 문제에 비해 덜 중요해서가 높은 비중을 차지하는 것으로 나타났다. 미충족 치과의료와 관련된 요인으로는 성별, 연령, 본인이 인지하는 구강건강 상태, 씹기 문제가 통계적으로 유의미한 것으로 나타났다. 이와 같은 결과를 바탕으로 건강보험 보장성 강화 정책과 관련하여 치과의료비의 본인부담금의 비중을 낮추는 방안을 제안할수 있을 것이다. 또한 치과 의료서비스 접근에 있어 취약한 집단을 파악하고, 해당 집단에 대한 보건의료 정책 개발 및 서비스 제공이 이루어져야 할 것으로 생각된다. The purpose of this study was to examine unmet dental care needs and related factors among adults in Korea. The study included a nationally representative sample of Koreans (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2104). The dependent variable was unmet dental care need and the independent variables were socioeconomic status and oral health status. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the associations between explanatory variables and unmet dental care needs. The major causes of unmet dental care needs included economic burden, work life, and academic reasons; in addition, dental treatment was considered to have lower priority. The factors that had statistically significant relationships with unmet dental care needs were sex, age, self-rated oral health status, and difficulty in mastication. The findings of the study, suggest a need for lower dental insurance copayments in keeping with the policies and principles aimed at strengthening the national health insurance system. In addition, groups with limited access to dental services should be identified, and effective health care policies and services should be established for these individuals.

영유아 구강검진의 효과: 치과방문횟수 및 치료 비용을 중심으로

안은숙 ( Eunsuk Ahn ),신호성 ( Hosung Shin ) 대한예방치과·구강보건학회 2017 大韓口腔保健學會誌 Vol.41 No.2

Objectives: With increasing emphasis being placed on early interventions for health promotion, early dental visits to prevent early childhood caries have been receiving more attention. Infant oral health examinations have been implemented as a component of early health examination in South Korea, but there is a lack of research on its effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate the effectiveness of infant and toddler oral health examinations by performing economic analyses of infant health examinations and dental treatment costs after examinations. Methods: The analyses were conducted using the National Health Insurance Service claims data. Sub-jects included in this study were children who had undergone their “3^rd infant oral health examination (54-65 months)” between 2010 and 2014. To estimate dental treatment costs over the five years, four retrospective cohorts were evaluated, which included a total of 256,965 subjects. The direct medical costs following infant oral health examinations were calculated over five years (including only costs from health insurance claims), and the effects of infant oral health examinations were compared. Results: Although the rate of infant oral health examinations showed a persistently increasing trend, dif-ferences were observed according to the type of health insurance. Children who underwent infant oral health examinations showed a higher number of visits to the dentist, but lower dental treatment costs compared with children who did not undergo examinations. Conclusions: This study confirmed, from an economic perspective, the effects of policy interventions that emphasize the necessity of early intervention and a life-course health management strategy, based on the concept that oral health is not determined at specific time points, but rather is determined by the accumulation of exposure to various factors over the course of life.

구강건강 관련 삶의 질 측정에서 EQ-5D 및 OHIP-14의 관련성

안은숙 ( Eunsuk Ahn ),신호성 ( Hosung Shin ) 대한예방치과·구강보건학회 2018 大韓口腔保健學會誌 Vol.42 No.3

Objectives: Oral-specific measures are often preferred for examining oral disease outcomes; however, generic measures can add additional important information. This study measured oral health-related quality of life, reflecting the multidimensional characteristics of oral health, and we compared sub-dimensions of the Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14) with the EuroQual-5D (EQ-5D). Methods: Data from 305 patients were collected from patients who visited the dental university hospital in 2016-2017 and included EQ-5D, OHIP-14, and self-rated general/oral health questionnaires. A factor analysis was performed to identify sub-dimensions of the EQ-5D and OHIP-14, and a cluster analysis was conducted to examine the degree of overlap among the sub-dimensions of two measures. Results: In the factor analysis, a range of OHIP-14 items (physical pain, physical disability, and handicap) loaded on factor 3, along with EQ-5D items. In the analysis of groups with relatively low oral qualities of life, moving from the bottom towards the top of the dendrogram, the next major branch split was the dimension of EQ-5D pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression items, which clustered between the OHIP- 14 interrupted meal and difficult relaxing subscales. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that using the EQ-5D for oral health status expends the complementary role of oral health-related quality of life measures.