Bridging the Gap: Dental Students’ Attitudes toward Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)

Healthcare, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(14), P. 1386 - 1386

Published: July 11, 2024

Persons with disabilities (PWDs) face significant barriers in accessing dental care, resulting poorer oral health outcomes compared to the general population. To reduce healthcare disparities, professionals must develop positive attitudes and acquire necessary skills treat PWDs effectively. This study aimed assess experiences, education, training levels, of students interns toward PWDs, explore relationships between their exposure education/training regarding managing PWDs. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. From May June 2023, a pretested, validated online questionnaire (developed based on existing survey instruments modified fit context) was distributed 98 eligible at King Faisal University. Descriptive analytical statistics used for analysis. The response rate 88.78%. There statistically correlation students' (p < 0.05). Statistically found towards educational experiences instructors 0.01) interpersonal interactions No relationship existed year future encounters = 0.176). Additionally, 42.5% felt inadequately prepared 88.5% expressed desire further education. Notably, 20.7% reported no while 70.1% preferred clinical underscores importance shaping Dental schools should prioritize structured teaching, greater contact disabled community, hands-on ensure are both well positively inclined These findings have implications improving education curricula.

Language: Английский

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Navigating Barriers to Dental Care for Patients with Down Syndrome: A Scoping Review of Challenges and Strategies

Children, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 12(3), P. 330 - 330

Published: March 5, 2025

Objective: Access to dental care is critical for overall health, yet individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) face numerous barriers, including communication difficulties, insufficiently trained professionals, and financial constraints leading poor oral health outcomes. These obstacles are compounded by a shortage of specialized services geographic disparities that limit access appropriate care. This scoping review aimed explore the existing literature about these barriers identify strategies enhance this vulnerable population. Methods: followed Systematic Reviews Meta-Analyses extension Scoping Review guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web Science focusing on peer-reviewed studies published in English within last 10 years examined related patients DS. To ensure methodological rigor, eligible were independently screened reviewed two reviewers. Any disagreements resolved through discussion, if consensus could not be reached, third reviewer made final decision. Data extracted using standardized form. The data analyzed synthesized categorize different studies. Results: initial yielded 58 articles, 42 remaining after duplicates removed. Following titles abstracts screening, 13 considered full-text review, 6 met inclusion criteria. studies, between 2015 2023, primarily employed cross-sectional designs identified key challenges maintaining hygiene, limited services, behavioral sensory difficulties affecting children Strategies overcome included enhancing professional training, developing tailored approaches, integrating preventive programs into broader initiatives. Conclusions: highlights significant, persistent By emphasizing need enhanced personalized integrated programs, provides framework improving accessibility Addressing can lead better outcomes improved well-being

Language: Английский

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Oral Health Behaviour, Care Utilisation, and Barriers among Students with Disabilities: A Parental Perspective

Healthcare, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(19), P. 1955 - 1955

Published: Sept. 30, 2024

Background: Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being. However, students with disabilities (SWDs) face unique challenges in maintaining oral hygiene and accessing dental care. This study aims to explore behaviours, care utilisation, barriers among SWDs Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, from the perspectives their parents. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional was conducted parents Arabia. Data were collected using validated questionnaire covering The sample size determined based on population region. analysed analytical statistics, significant associations identified at p < 0.05. Results: Findings revealed that 45.7% brushed irregularly, only 16.8% brushing twice day or more. Dental flossing reported by just 4.3% SWDs. Emergency-based visits common (51.9%), 29.5% had never visited dentist. Significant found between maternal education tooth frequency (p = 0.004) parental 0.035). most included fear treatment (47.1%), difficulty finding willing dentists (45.5%), long wait times for appointments (44.7%). Conclusions: emphasises pressing need targeted interventions improve practices enhance accessibility services

Language: Английский

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Disabilities and Disparities in Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Saudi Arabia

Medicina, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 60(12), P. 2005 - 2005

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

Background and Objectives: In Saudi Arabia, persons with disabilities (PWDs) face considerable oral health challenges, including a higher prevalence of dental caries gingival inflammation, which adversely affects their health-related quality life (OHRQoL). This population experiences distinct substantial barriers in accessing adequate care. systematic review meta-analysis aims to quantify disparities OHRQoL between PWDs individuals without focusing on gingivitis prevalence, identify specific areas for intervention. Materials Methods: A structured search PubMed, Scopus, Web Science, Google Scholar yielded 803 articles, seven met the inclusion criteria. These studies reported outcomes populations autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing impairments. Data rates, health, self- or caregiver-reported were extracted analysed. Results: Arabia exhibit significantly (ranging from 60% over 80%) moderate-to-severe inflammation (up 60%) compared disabilities. The caregivers children heightened stress levels, experienced reduced functional social well-being. compounded by limited preventive care access high unmet treatment needs, particularly among those severe caregiver support. Conclusions: marked disparities, notably rates gingivitis, severely impacting life. findings underscore need targeted policies community-based interventions enhance accessibility, promote measures, address unique needs this vulnerable population.

Language: Английский

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Oral Health Care for Individuals With Special Needs: Practices and Challenges Among General Practitioners in Saudi Arabia

Cureus, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 19, 2024

A vital component of public health that needs a lot attention is oral care for people with special needs. The phrase "special needs" describes wide range issues pertaining to behavior, development, health, and emotions require specific medical educational support. These individuals often present complex specialized knowledge skills. Despite their significant numbers, access quality this group remains critical concern. objective study was evaluate the practices challenges faced by general practitioners (GPs) in delivering sample size consisted 380 GPs. Informed consent obtained from participants, they were informed responses personal information would be kept confidential. cross-sectional survey English prepared using Google Forms. comprising 19 questions distributed among drawn various regions Saudi Arabia. Participants selected ensure representation different practice settings, including private clinics, government hospitals, university clinics. portion participants (271, 71.3%) reported lacking formal training dental Furthermore, 277 (72.9%) expressed low confidence ability provide these patients. Additionally, 342 (90%) acknowledged treating patients significantly impact deliver effective care. Moreover, 326 (85.8%) indicated insufficient necessary resources support, pointing gaps provision services findings showed GPs encounter daily clinical settings. contribute field, limited provided, inadequate majority believe lack professional guidelines, trained support staff, continuing education opportunities face

Language: Английский

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