THE FACTORS AFFECTING COMMUNICATION COMPETENCY OF DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENTS

Soon Lim

doi:10.29121/ijetmr.v4.i3.2017.71

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand factors affecting on communication competency in dental hygiene students. From September 20 to October 20, 2016, 439 students participated in survey through structured questionnaire. The results showed that mean of communication competency was 3.46±0.41 and mean of communication apprehension was 3.26±0.59, speech apprehension was highest in sub-factors of communication apprehension. The group of intention to receive communication education and the group of interpersonal satisfaction showed high communication competency and self-efficacy, low communication apprehension. But differences of communication competency according to communication education experience was not statistically significant. A negative correlation was found between communication competency and communication apprehension, self-efficacy and communication apprehension. A positive correlation was observed between communication competency and self-efficacy. The higher self-efficacy and the satisfaction with interpersonal relation, the higher communication competency is. In conclusion, to increase communication competency of dental hygiene students it needs efforts to improve self-efficacy and satisfied interpersonal relationship as well as communication skill education.

Highlights

Communication means a process of using several methods, including languages, behavior, and writing, to deliver personal ideas, feelings, attitudes, and beliefs and share meanings among at least two individuals[1]
This study aimed to identify the factors affecting communication competency for dental hygiene students and provide basic data for developing an education program to improve communication as well as curriculums related to communication, giving consideration to the relevant factors, not to the education to improve communication skills alone
64% answered that communication skills were very important and 68.6% suggested that communication education be necessary. 59.4% had experience of communication education and 40.6% had no experience of communication education; as for the methods of experiencing communication education, 86.0% indicated classes and 9.2% special lectures

Summary

Introduction

Communication means a process of using several methods, including languages, behavior, and writing, to deliver personal ideas, feelings, attitudes, and beliefs and share meanings among at least two individuals[1]. Good communication can refer to a condition in which individuals have a good understanding of others' intended meanings and accept them. Communication competency can refer to an ability to use communication methods to interact with others[2]. It is known that college students with good communication competency adapt themselves to school life well, solve problems rationally on the basis of good problem-solving ability, and use integrated, positive coping methods to manage stress[5]. Dental hygiene students require communication competency to do dental hygiene tasks in clinical practice as well as to form desirable interpersonal relationships as a developmental task in early adulthood[6]. Dental hygienists who need to manage oral health are required to be equipped with an ability to communicate with patients efficiently and properly

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Conclusion