Journal of dental hygiene science (치위생과학회지)

The Korean Society of Dental Hygiene Science (한국치위생과학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Effects of Critical Thinking and Communication Skills on the Problem-Solving Ability of Dental Hygiene Students

  • Han, Ji-Hyoung (Department of Dental Hygiene, Suwon Science College) ;
  • Ahn, Eunsuk (Department of Dental Hygiene, Kyungbok University) ;
  • Hwang, Ji-Min (Department of Dental Hygiene, Baekseok Culture University)
  • Received : 2019.02.14
  • Accepted : 2019.02.27
  • Published : 2019.03.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of critical thinking and good communication skills on the problem-solving abilities of dental hygiene students. Methods: A total of 508 dental hygiene students were convenience-sampled from 3 universities. Results: The results revealed that critical thinking had the highest intellectual fairness score of 3.60, and systematicity was the lowest at 3.19. The values for communication skills were high in reaction, social adequacy, and concentration, with an average of 3.65. Problem-solving abilities were in the following order: clarification of the problem, seeking solutions, and decision making. According to general characteristics, more extroverted personalities possessed higher levels of critical thinking, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities (p<0.01). Critical thinking scores were high (p=0.016) in students who responded that peer relationship was difficult; however, their communication skills were the lowest (p<0.001). Additionally, problem-solving abilities were highest among students who reported a difficult peer relationship (p=0.001). The higher the satisfaction with dental hygiene academics, the higher the critical thinking, communication skill, and problem-solving ability (p<0.001). Critical thinking showed a high positive correlation with variables in the following order: clarification of the problem, performing the solutions, seeking solutions, decision making, and evaluation and reflection. The communication skills were also related to these variables listed above (p<0.01). With critical thinking, confidence, watchfulness, intellectual passion/curiosity, sound skepticism, objectivity, and systematicity all influenced the problem-solving ability. Conclusion: Communication skills were influenced by noise control, putting on the other's shoe, social tensions, and efficiency, which affected the problem-solving ability. Dental clinics require dental hygienists to have critical thinking to make analytical judgments and effective communication skills to solve human relation problems with patients and care-givers. Therefore, these skills should be developed in dental hygiene students to improve their problem-solving abilities.

Keywords

References

  1. World Economic Forum: New vision for education: unlocking the potential of technology. World Economic Forum, Geneva, pp.4-6, 2015.
  2. American Dental Education Association: ADEA competencies for the new general dentist. J Dent Educ 75: 932-935, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2011.75.7.tb05130.x
  3. Kim MS, Park C, Kim YJ, Min CH, Oh HS: A study for developing critical thinking test (II): construction of the test. Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, Jincheon, 2002. 156 p.
  4. Hwang JM, Han JH: Effects of critical thinking disposition and empathy on cultural competency in dental hygiene students. J Dent Hyg Sci 18: 24-31, 2018. https://doi.org/10.17135/jdhs.2018.18.1.24
  5. Wilkins EM: Clinical practice of the dental hygienist. 10th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, New York, pp.2-17, 2009.
  6. Kim EK, Kim YJ, Kim CH, et al.: Education standardization and development direction of dental hygiene. Korean Dental Hygienists Association, Korean Association of Dental Hygiene Professors, Seoul, 2005. 246 p.
  7. Jo HI, Lee MH: The mediating effect of prosocial behavior in the relation between empathic ability and psychological wellbeing. Korean Youth Res Assoc 17: 139-158, 2010.
  8. Trenholm S, Jensen A: Interpersonal communication. 6th ed. Oxford University Press, New York, 2008. 330 p.
  9. Jeong GS, Kim, KA, Seong JA: The effect of learning style and critical thinking disposition on communication skill in nursing students. J Korean Acad Soc Nurs Educ 19: 413-422, 2013. https://doi.org/10.5977/jkasne.2013.19.3.413
  10. Kim SJ, Kim HH: Impact of communication competence and empathy abilities on interpersonal relationship abilities among dental hygiene students. J Dent Hyg Sci 13: 304-313, 2013.
  11. Choi E, Kim J: The relationship of core competencies (problem solving ability, communication ability, self-directed learning ability) to critical thinking. J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs 14: 412-419, 2007.
  12. Kim EK, Kim YJ, Kim CH, et al.: Dental hygiene education standardization and development direction. Korean Dental Hygienists Association, Seoul, pp.74-85, 2004.
  13. Heppner PP, Krauskopf CJ: An information-processing approach to personal problem solving. Couns Psychol 15:371-447, 1987. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000087153001
  14. Park SH: The effects of the program for the improvement of college students' critical thinking ability. Korean J Educ Psychol 13: 93-112, 1999.
  15. Yoon J: Development of an instrument for the measurement of critical thinking disposition: in nursing. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Catholic University, Seoul, 2004.
  16. Lee HS: Relationships among communication competence, communication types, organizational commitment of nurses. Unpublished master's thesis, Dankook University, Yongin, 2008.
  17. Hur GH: Construction and validation of a global interpersonal communication competence scale. Korean J Journal Commun Stud 47: 380-408, 2003.
  18. Lee WS, Park SH, Choi EY: Development of a Korean problem solving process inventory for adults. J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs 15: 548-557, 2008.
  19. Kim DJ, Yun SH: Influence of communication competence and critical thinking disposition on problem-solving skills of nursing students. Korean J Health Commun 11: 167-177, 2016. https://doi.org/10.15715/kjhcom.2016.11.2.167
  20. Yang HJ: Relationship between critical thinking disposition and problem solving ability of nursing students. J Korea Acad-Ind Cooper Soc 14: 6387-6394, 2013. https://doi.org/10.5762/KAIS.2013.14.12.6387
  21. Kim YH, Kim YA: The influence of academic self-efficacy, and critical thinking disposition on problem solving ability of nursing students. J Korea Acad-Ind Cooper Soc 17: 589-598, 2016. https://doi.org/10.5762/KAIS.2016.17.9.589
  22. Kim JH, Sung HK, Kim HJ: Critical thinking disposition and problem-solving ability of dental hygiene students. J Dent Hyg Sci 14: 356-363, 2014. https://doi.org/10.17135/jdhs.2014.14.3.356
  23. Shim HS, Lee HN, Kim EM: A study on the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities of dental hygiene students. J Korean Soc Dent Hyg 17: 1171-1182, 2017. https://doi.org/10.13065/jksdh.2017.17.06.1171

Cited by

  1. The impact of practical aspects of communication and thinking skills formation on improving self-management skills in university students vol.22, pp.8, 2020, https://doi.org/10.17853/1994-5639-2020-8-40-74