Research in the Field of Dental Hygiene: A Bibliometric Analysis From 1980 to 2024
Septika Prismasari, Jung Yun KangABSTRACT
Objectives
This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of dental hygiene research from 1980 to 2024, evaluating publication trends, prolific authors, influential journals and emerging research themes.
Methods
Data were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection using the keyword ‘dental hygien*’ up to December 26, 2024. A total of 3,055 records were screened, of which 2,315 met the inclusion criteria. Bibliometric indicators, including publication trends, global collaborations, citation analysis, author productivity, journal impact and keyword co‐occurrence were analyzed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software.
Results
The analysis identified publication trends, citation counts and keywords with the strongest citation bursts in dental hygiene research from 1980 to 2024, showing a significant increase in research output since the 2000s. This was followed by an analysis of the distribution of countries and organizations, along with an examination of global and institutional collaboration networks. Additionally, the global distribution of journals and authors was analyzed, and their collaborative networks were explored. Citation analysis of authors, references and journals highlighted influential contributors and key works in the field. Finally, keyword analysis revealed five primary research clusters: Education, Prevention, Occupational health, Public health and Oral health in the elderly. Emerging trends suggest growing interest in public health interventions, technology‐mediated care and interdisciplinary approaches to oral health.
Conclusions
Dental hygiene research has evolved significantly, emphasizing its growing importance in healthcare. Key contributors, influential journals and global collaborations have played a pivotal role in advancing the field. This bibliometric analysis offers meaningful insights into the trends, key contributors and emerging areas of dental hygiene research. The findings from this analysis can serve as a valuable resource for researchers seeking advanced knowledge and applications in the field of dental hygiene.