Dentists' Perception of the Care of Patients with Special Health CareNeeds in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Objectives: The study aimed to explore dentists’ perception and level of satisfaction with their dental education in preparing them to provide care to patients with special health care needs (SHCNs). Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Study participants were dentists working in clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results: Dentists reported low confidence in caring for patients with SHCNs. A relationship existed between the quality of dental education and the dentists’ perception of their patient care. A great proportion of respondents were willing to attain educational activities to enhance their knowledge and skills. Conclusion: Extensive efforts for curriculum needs assessment should be adopted to include core skills that are transferable through the entire dental curriculum and encourage a patient-centered approach in learning. The proposed curricula should also adopt the development of joint medical and dental curricula modules that focus on the care of individuals with SHCNs. These efforts should be expanded to include a national strategy to disseminate these curricula to all Saudi medical and dental schools.