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. $x^2$ 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.