Self-confidence and Coping Strategies among Saudi Arabian Undergraduate Dental Students in Managing the Children with Various Behaviors

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the perception and confidence in handling uncooperative pediatric patients in dental settings and to assess their coping strategies in managing these patients. Methods:The pre-tested questionnaire consisting of demographic data followed by ten clinical scenarios were distributed among 859 students. Student t-test was used to compare confidence among the gender and nationality followed by ANOVA and TUKEY post hoc for student level. The coping scores and the percentages are segregated and presented according to how many students opted for a particular technique in each scenario based on gender, nationality, and education level using the Chi-square test.Results: Females and Non-Saudis were found to be more confident with statistically significant results only in the former. Seniors were confident in dealing with uncooperative children, and this is significant statistically-wide variations in selecting a specific technique. To a more significant extent, modeling and Tell-Show-Do were preferred. Conclusions: There is a lot of discrepancy between learning theoretically and applying it practically to patients. Henceforth, the students need to get exposed to many pediatric patients to understand which technique would be useful in dealing with uncooperative children.