Perception of Special-Care Dentistry among Dental Students at Universitas Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the perceptions of special-care dentistry (SCD) among dental students in the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered online questionnaire, and all preclinical and clinical students were invited to participate. The survey items comprised four domains related to participants’ characteristics, perceptions of SCD, perceptions of managing patients with special needs, and perceptions of SCD education. The chi-square test and Mann–Whitney test were used in the analysis. Results: A total of 572 students participated in this study. The findings showed that the clinical students were more familiar with SCD than the preclinical students were (p = 0.008). A statistically significant relationship was found between the study program and the ability to work independently with special-needs patients after graduation (p < 0.001), the ability to refer special-needs patients to specialists (p = 0.042), the perception of postgraduate training-program needs (p < 0.001), and the opportunity to consider postgraduate training (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Most of the respondents had a favorable perception of SCD. Thus, an improved SCD curriculum and SCD training for undergraduate and postgraduate students should be provided to develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide care to special-needs patients.

Evaluation of the Knowledge Level of Dental Students Regarding the Dental Management of Medically Compromised Patients

“…A survey showed that 83% of students considered their undergraduate training on patients with "special needs" to be poor. When asked about their willingness to treat those people in the future, 50% were not willing to do so (24). Dentistry is considered a clinical field, and acquiring sufficient skills and receiving appropriate training is crucial, especially in the field of dental considerations of systemic diseases, as this can improve the level of oral and dental health of patients with systemic diseases.…”