Practicing Dentists' Self-Efficacy and Associated Factors in Managing the Treatment of Adults with Mental and Physical Disabilities: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Provision of oral healthcare to adults with mental and physical disabilities (AMPD) remains a challenging area across various healthcare systems. The present study aimed to assess self-reported efficacy and investigate factors associated with self-efficacy in the management of AMPD among practicing dentists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A pilot-tested, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of 1000 dentists. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed on the collected responses. Results: Among the respondents (54%), 43% were males. Only 14% described their self-efficacy in managing AMPD as "High". Multivariable regression analyses revealed significant associations between "High" self-efficacy and male gender (Odd ratio (OR) = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.16-4.89), experience practicing dentistry for 11 years or more (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.04-4.47), specialization in pediatric dentistry (OR = 3.98, 95% CI = 1.31-12.07), previous experience in managing AMPD (OR = 4.23, 95% CI = 1.59-11.22), and awareness of regulations for managing AMPD (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.42-4.38). The interaction of gender x age was significantly associated (p = 0.028) with "High" self-efficacy. Gender-stratified analyses revealed a significant association between age and "High" self-efficacy among male dentists only. Conclusions: The findings of the present study highlight that a large percentage of dentists reported "Low/Moderate" self-efficacy in managing AMPD, particularly among female dentists. However, further studies are required to verify the factors associated with self-efficacy in the present study, and to identify other factors that may influence self-efficacy in managing AMPD.

Diet, oral hygiene practices and dental health in autistic children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

UNLABELLED: Studies reporting the dietary habits of children with ASD in relation to dental health are scarce, and similar studies are non-existent in Saudi Arabia. PURPOSE: to report baseline information about the diet, oral hygiene and dental health of a group of autistic children in Riyadh. METHODOLOGY: 450 self-administered cross-sectional questionnaires were distributed to parents of autistic children enrolled in three major autistic rehabilitation centers. RESULTS: parents reported that (70.9%) of the children preferred food that is high in sugar and (96.7%) consumed soft drinks regularly. Parents reported their children brushing once 34.0% or twice 29.0% a day, and 28.8% brushed on an irregular basis. 82.6% of the children had no gingival bleeding during brushing. 51.5% of the children had no previous dental visits or dental treatment, 48.5% had undergone dental treatment using different behavioral management techniques. CONCLUSION: Children in this study showed frequent consumptions of foods with high sugar contents and soft drinks, which coupled with improper oral hygiene practices and insufficient dental visits, may have contributed to the risk of developing dental caries and teeth erosion. Frequent tooth brushing, low-sugar diets and early dental visits for check-ups and regular fluoride applications are highly recommended for ASD children.