Korea

Information to work in this country is available from

KOREAN DENTAL HYGIENISTS' ASSOCIATION
(02465) 3F, 566 Gosanja-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, KOREA
Tel: +82 2 2236 0914
Fax : +82 2 2236 0915

Procedures and/or documents that are necessary to be able to work in this country

Applications should be sent to the Minister of Health and Welfare in Korea. Few overseas dental hygienists have applied to work in Korea and there has been no need to set criteria on further training before sitting the National examination.

Official licensing body in the country

Minister of Health and Welfare
6~12F, Hyundai BDG, 140-2, Kye-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-793
Republic of Korea
Tel: +82 129

Contact for Work Permit and/or Visa

The Korean Embassy/Consulate in the country of residence.

Is a job offer required before a Work Permit/Visa is issued?

Applications are considered individually.

Main local and/or official language(s)

Korean. It is necessary to be fluent in this language.

Are hygienists qualified overseas required to sit the country's national examination?

Yes. Few overseas dental hygienists have applied to work in Korea and there has been no need to set criteria on training before sitting the National examination.

Information on the local working environment

Working week is 40 to 48 hours. Dental Hygienists work in hospitals, health centres, educational institutes and dispensaries.

Standard tasks that hygienists are allowed to undertake in the country

Removal of supra and sub deposits such as calculus
Fluoride application
Temporary filling
Temporary setting
Removal of deposits such as cements
Dental impression taking
Setting and removal orthodontic arch wire materials\
Intraoral radiography
Prevention of oral diseases Oral hygiene

Further information:

Country Statistics

Total Population	50,965,180
Number of Dental Hygienists, Female / Male	56,850 / About 100
Number of Dentists	27,780
Number of Dental Hygiene Schools / Students per year	81 / 5,025
Practicing Dental Hygienists: Full-time / Part-time	About 25,000
Number of Dental Hygienists in private sector / public sector	23,384 / 1,186
Number of Dental Hygienists practicing as Clinicians	23,384
Number of Dental Hygienists practicing as Educators	About 340

Links to related web sites

WHO Oral Health: Country/Area Profile Programme

Information based on data received by IFDH in:

2013

NOTE: The information provided above is for general guidance only. The International Federation of Dental Hygienists advises all hygienists to contact the country's relevant licensing bodies and agencies for current information and regulations.