Objectives: This study was aimed at seeking an effective method of improving job satisfaction and practice performance of clinical dental hygienists by analyzing their job satisfaction factors.Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to 210 clinical dental hygienists working at dental institutions in Busan, Gyeongnam, and Gyeongbuk, from the 25^th of July through to the 30^th of August, 2015, after receiving approval of the Institutional Review Board. The following conclusions were derived as a result of analyzing a total of 198 of the 210 questionnaires, 12 of which were excluded due to non-response or suspicious authenticity.Results: Analysis of the job satisfaction according to the participants’ general characteristics revealed significant differences in terms of marital status (P<0.001), age (P<0.001), education (P=0.002), income (P<0.001), and total work experience (P<0.001).Further, groups showing high scores on the internal marketing system, structural factors, communication system factors, and compensation factors had higher job satisfaction (P<0.01). Analysis of oral health education, a factor in the job satisfaction related to practice performance, was carried out by the high group. This led to high satisfaction with professional pride (P<0.01) and patient relationships (P<0.01). Preventive treatment, another factor in job satisfaction related to practice performance, led to high satisfaction with colleague relationships (P<0.05). The job satisfaction for medical cure cooperation tasks showed no significant differences. Administration and management tasks for high groups led to higher satisfaction with professional pride, ability to work, work environment, compensation, and patient relationships (P<0.01). Conclusions: These results show the need for an expansion in oral health education and preventive treatment tasks in order to ensure greater job satisfaction in dental hygienists. Additionally, the development of internal marketing systems within dental care institutions is necessary to further enhance and promote a sense of accomplishment at work.

Keywords: Dental hygienists, Internal marketing system, Job satisfaction