EC Dental Science

Research Article Volume 22 Issue 10 - 2023

Do Dentists and Dental Students have the Appropriate Attitudes and Ability to Practice for Geriatric Patients in Saudi Arabia?

Arwa Alzahrani1*, Ohud Almoudahi2, Nehal Alahmadi3, Shatha Al-Shibani4, Bashair Aljubairy5, Safaa Farhat6, Ameena Banjar7, Abdulrahman Khaleel8 and Ismail Abdouh9

1Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
2General Dentist, Vision Colleges, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
3General Dentist, Al-Bakkari Polyclinics, Maddinah, Saudi Arabia
4Master Degree in Dentistry, University of Science and Technology, Sana'a, Yemen
5General Dentist, Khabash General Hospital, Najran, Saudi Arabia
6General Dentist, Vision Colleges, Meras Medical Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
7General Dentist, Vision Colleges, Ministry of Health, Arar, Saudi Arabia
8General Dentist, Ram Dental Clinic, Khobar, Saudi Arabia
9Assistant Professor of Oral Medicine, Department of Oral Basic and Clinical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawara, Saudi Arabia

*Corresponding Author: Arwa Alzahrani, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Received: September 07, 2023; Published: September 14, 2023




Objective: During the last several decades, the proportion of the world’s population that is 65 and older has increased faster than at any time in history. This study aimed to assess dentists’ attitudes and ability to practice for geriatric patients in Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that assessed 403 dentists and dental students in Saudi Arabia via a questionnaire containing 30 questions derived from a previous study. The questionnaire was distributed in person and through social media. SPSS software was used to analyze the data, with a p-value of 0.05 significance level and t-test used for inferential statistics.

Results: In general, the attitudes and ability to practice for geriatric patients was moderately positive. The mean total attitude score was 55.28 (standard deviation [SD] = 6.94), with significantly higher scores among males (p = 0.005, m = 56.66, SD = 8.26) than females (m = 54.47, SD = 5.92). It was also higher among dentists (p < 0.001, m = 56.76, SD = 7.36) than dental students/interns (m = 52.80, SD = 5.37). The mean total score of ability to practice was 23.84 (SD = 6.24), and it was significantly higher among dentists (p = 0.01, m = 24.45, SD = 6.35) than dental students/interns (m = 22.83, SD = 5.93), but it was not statistically different by gender (p = 906).

Conclusion: Overall, there was a positive attitude and ability to practice among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia; however, some statements had unsatisfactory results, indicating a need to boost those areas with practical continuing education.

 Keywords: Geriatric Dentistry; Attitude; Ability to Practice; Saudi Arabia

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Arwa Alzahrani., et al. Do Dentists and Dental Students have the Appropriate Attitudes and Ability to Practice for Geriatric Patients in Saudi Arabia?. EC Dental Science 22.10 (2023): 01-10.

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