Abstract
Objectives : This study was to determine the level of occupational exposure and quality of life and to investigate the effect of variables related occupational exposure on quality of life in dental hygienists. Methods : A survey questionnaire was mailed to dental hygienists from April 4 to May 15, 2010. The subjects were 256(56.9%), who were worked in dental hospital and clinic with mean age of $29.59{\pm}7.30$. Quality of life was measured using the WHOQOL-BREF. It consists of 26 items, each with 5-point likert scale. Self control of occupational exposure was measured using the 3-items. The data were analyzed with chi-square, t-test, one-way ANOVA, pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression using the SPSS WIN 17.0 program. Results : Regarding quality of life, the subjects was a mean of 90.73 out of a maximum 130 points. The level of self control occupational exposure a mean of 3.20 out of a maximum 5 points. Self control of occupational exposure, frequency of panorama radiography, work experience of radiography had a significant impact on quality of life in dental hygienists. Conclusions : Based on the findings, occupational exposure is negatively associated with quality of life in dental hygienists. These results suggest that health promotion program should be considered various factors related occupational exposure in dental hygienists.
