Effects of Workplace Bullying on Dental Hygienists’ Competency at Work

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the current state of bullying in dental hygienists’ workplaces, to understand the impact of bullying on workplace competency, and to provide basic data about preventing workplace bullying in dental clinics. Methods: In this study, 239 dental hygienists with more than six months of work experience each were surveyed. The amount of bullying participants experienced was analyzed according to demographic characteristics, and differences in the impact of bullying on work competency were analyzed using a t-test and a one-way analysis of variance. Results: Of the 239 participants, 61.9% had experienced bullying at work, Workplace bullying had a significantly greater effect on work competency among participants under the age of 25, those with less than one year of experience, those employed as staff, and those working at dental clinics. Conclusions: To minimize bullying in the workplace, it is necessary to improve the work ability of new dental hygienists and management staff. More research is needed on ways to improve workplace ethics and prevent bullying.