Barriers to treating children with special healthcare needs from the perspective of dentists at universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional survey
Vineet Khinda, Yousef H. Alheraisi, Raed A. Albariqi, Faisal A. Almalky, Eyad Habib AlnakhliAbstract
Introduction:
Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) are at greater risk for oral diseases, with dental caries being the most prevalent chronic condition. In Saudi Arabia, CSHCN face similar challenges, but barriers to treating these children from a dentist’s perspective remain underexplored.
Aim:
This study aims to identify the barriers that dentists at universities in Riyadh face when treating CSHCN.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2023 to January 2024, targeting 311 dentists at universities in Riyadh. The electronic survey gathered data on demographics, experience, and challenges faced in treating CSHCN. The survey yielded an 85.67% response rate, with approval from the Institutional Review Board at the King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre.
Results and Discussion:
Of the 268 respondents, 54.3% were male and 45.7% female. Most of the respondents were aged 26–30 years, with 66.5% being specialists, primarily in periodontics and pedodontics. The majority worked in governmental settings and had 2–5 years of experience. Time consumption (79.1%), behavioral and communication difficulties (69.2%), and lack of specialized training (64.3%) were the main barriers identified. Most dentists treated fewer than five CSHCN per month, with common conditions including Down syndrome and autism. Caries treatment was the most frequently performed procedure.
Conclusions:
This study highlights key barriers affecting dentists when treating CSHCN in Riyadh. Addressing these challenges could enhance care quality and treatment outcomes for CSHCN.