International Dentistry Journal (ISSN: 3065-4505) | Volume 4, Issue 2 | Case Report | Open Access DOI
Ae eun Moon*
Hee Ja NA1 , Ae eun Moon2
1,2Department of Dental Hygiene, Honam University, An Adjunct Professor, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
*Correspondence to: Ae eun Moon
Fulltext PDFObjective: This study aimed to compare dental hygienist systems in Korea, the United States, and Japan, analyze their institutional differences, and explore the development direction of Korea's dental hygienist system.
Methods: Literature on dental hygienist systems in each country was reviewed, and institutional differences were analyzed comparatively.
Results: Korea’s dental hygienist system, established in 1963, offers 2- and 4-year programs with qualification through a national exam, and duties are limited under dentist supervision. The U.S., established in 1913, provides 2- and 4-year programs with qualifications via the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and state licensure exams; some states allow independent practice under the ADHP system. Japan, established in 1948, offers 2- and 4-year programs with national exam qualification, but duties are restricted under dentist supervision.
Conclusion: Dental hygienist systems differ according to cultural and institutional contexts. Korea needs to expand the scope of practice and enable independent clinical duties.
Dental hygienist; System comparison; Scope of practice; Curriculum; National licensure examination
Hee Ja NA , Ae eun Moon. Comparative Evidence-Based Review of Dental Hygienist Systems in Korea, the United States, and Japan. Int Dent Jour. 2025;4(2):1-3.