Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between general characteristics and the intention of overseas employment and job satisfaction by Korean dental hygienists. Methods : We conducted a survey of 562 dental hygienists working in dental clinics nationwide. Collected data were analyzed by using the SAS(Version 9.2, SAS Institute, Cary, N.C.) package. χ2 test was used to determine the general characteristics of the subjects including job satisfaction level and intention to work abroad. Results : Old aged dental hygienists tended to work in the country rather than abroad(p<0.05). Higher job satisfaction was closely related to working hours, monthly income, social status, and stability of employment(p<0.05). Job satisfaction was concerned with intention to overseas employment. The main purpose of overseas employment included economic benefits(35.99%), self realization(26.75%), and improvement of working condition(21.66%) in the group of overseas employment(p<0.05). The obstacles to overseas employment were mastery of language proficiency(60.94%) and related information(21.89%) in those who want to work abroad. Conclusions : In order to increase the number of Korean dental hygienists for overseas employment, it is necessary to improve working competence and job satisfaction.