ABSTRACT
Goal:
To evaluate the knowledge and practices of oral health among Jazan, Saudi Arabian carers for people with special needs.
Methods:
Jazan Special Needs Center carers participated in a cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire covering demographics, oral health behaviors, frequency of dental visits, and information sources was used to gather data. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests for relationships were used in the statistical study.
Findings:
Of the 157 carers who took part, 70.1% were men and 29.9% were women. The bulk of carers knew the fundamentals of good oral hygiene, however, there were misconceptions regarding fluoride and the value of routine dental checkups. For information, the majority of carers turned to dentists and the media. The degree of education and oral health knowledge of carers were significantly correlated (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Jazan carers are somewhat aware of oral health issues. To enhance oral health outcomes for people with special needs, educational interventions aimed at carers are required. These interventions should emphasize the advantages of fluoride and frequent dental check-ups.
KEYWORDS: Caregivers, Jazan, oral health, Saudi Arabia, special needs
INTRODUCTION
Good dental hygiene is essential for general health, but it can be particularly difficult for those with specific requirements to maintain it. Between 4% and 8% of Saudi Arabians are considered to have special needs, however, few of them receive proper medical care.[1,2,3,4,5] Specialised training and expertise are needed for special care dentistry, and carers must be more alert.[6,7,8,9,10] According to studies, people with special needs are more susceptible to oral illnesses, which might lower their quality of life.[10,11,12] Systemic problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders can be brought on by poor dental health.[11] Due to socioeconomic position, cultural norms, and limited access to educational resources, carers frequently lack the knowledge and awareness needed to manage oral health, despite their critical role in this regard.[11,12] In order to enhance oral health outcomes for people with special needs in this area, this study evaluates the oral health practices and awareness of carers in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The results will be used to inform focused educational initiatives.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study design and population
In Jazan, Saudi Arabia, carers of people with special needs participated in this cross-sectional study. A variety of special needs centers connected to special needs schooling were used to find participants. In all, 157 carers took part in the research.
Data collection
The carers were given an Arabic-language, self-administered questionnaire. To guarantee clarity and applicability, the questionnaire was modified from earlier verified surveys and put through a pilot test. It was divided into four sections: sources of oral health information, carer awareness of oral health issues and behaviors, individuals with special needs, and carer awareness of dental appointments and treatments.
Sections of the questionnaire
Demographic details: age, gender, educational attainment, and kind of special needs.
Oral Health Awareness: Understanding oral health issues, how often to clean your teeth, and how to utilize oral hygiene products.
Dental appointments and Treatments: The number of dental appointments, their causes, and the kinds of dental treatments obtained.
Sources of Information: Media, dental professionals, and other sources are among the sources of knowledge and awareness on oral health.
Data analysis
SPSS software version 20 (Chicago, IL, USA) was used to analyze the data that were gathered. The data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The data were summarised using descriptive statistics, and correlations between oral health habits and awareness and demographic characteristics were found using Chi-square tests. Statistical significance was attained when the P value was less than 0.05.
RESULTS
Seventy-one percent of the 157 carers in the study were men. According to the age breakdown, 40.8% of the population was under 25, 30.6% was between 25 and 34, 22.9% was between 35 and 44, and 5.7% was over 45. The distribution of educational attainment showed that 40.8% had less than a high school diploma, 9.6% had finished high school, and 49.7% had a college degree or above. Most caregivers are male (70.1%) and under 25 years old (40.8%). Education levels vary, with 49.7% having a college education or higher. Behavioral and emotional needs are most common among those cared for (51.0%). In oral health practices, 74.5% recognize teeth-related issues, but 29.9% do not brush regularly. Soft toothbrushes and fluoridated toothpaste are commonly used (60.5%). Fluoride awareness is moderate, with 59.2% knowing about it and 41.4% understanding its role in preventing tooth decay. Caregiver education level significantly impacts fluoride knowledge (P = 0.018). Dental visits are frequent, with 70.7% having taken dependents to a dentist, mainly for treatments (48.4%) and emergencies (28.0%). Extractions are the most common treatment (33.8%). Regular check-ups every six months are acknowledged by 58.6%. Dentists are the primary information source (70.7%), followed by the Internet (14.6%). Most caregivers (72.6%) receive education from dentists, and 88.5% understand the information. While 84.1% find it easy to access special dental care information, the same percentage are interested in educational programs [Table 1].
Table 1.
Comparison of demographic characteristics, oral health practices, dental visits, and information sources
| Category | Subcategory | Frequency (%) | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic Characteristics | |||
| Gender | Males | 70.1% | NS |
| Females | 29.9% | ||
| Age | Less than 25 years | 40.8% | NS |
| 25-34 years | 30.6% | ||
| 35-44 years | 22.9% | ||
| More than 45 years | 5.7% | ||
| Education Level | Under high school | 40.8% | NS |
| High school | 9.6% | ||
| College and higher | 49.7% | ||
| Type of Special Needs | Behavioral and Emotional | 51.0% | NS |
| Developmental Disability | 11.5% | ||
| Physically Disabled/Others | 33.8% | ||
| Sensory Impairment | 3.8% | ||
| Oral Health Practices | |||
| Oral Health Conditions Recognized | Teeth-related | 74.5% | NS |
| Soft tissue-related | 12.7% | ||
| Oral habits-related | 12.7% | ||
| Frequency of Teeth Brushing | Once a day in the morning | 28.0% | 0.182 |
| Once a day before bedtime | 5.7% | ||
| Twice a day (morning and evening) | 28.0% | ||
| After each meal | 8.3% | ||
| Doesn’t brush regularly | 29.9% | ||
| Methods Used for Cleaning Teeth | Miswak | 5.1% | NS |
| Soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste | 60.5% | ||
| Any toothbrush and any toothpaste | 29.9% | ||
| Dental floss | 0.0% | ||
| Mouthwash | 4.5% | ||
| Fluoride Awareness | Heard of Fluoride | 59.2% | |
| Knowledge of Fluoride’s Purpose: Helps prevent tooth decay | 41.4% | 0.018 | |
| Sources of Fluoride | Drinking water | 24.8% | NS |
| Toothpaste | 29.3% | ||
| From the dentist | 5.7% | ||
| I don’t know | 39.5% | ||
| Dental Visits and Treatments | |||
| Previous Visits to Dentist | Yes | 70.7% | NS |
| No | 29.3% | ||
| Time Since Last Visit | Within past 6 months | 44.6% | 0.302 |
| Within past 12 months | 18.5% | ||
| Within past 24 months | 7.6% | ||
| More than 2 years | 29.3% | ||
| Reasons for Last Visit | Routine check-up | 23.6% | NS |
| Dental treatment | 48.4% | ||
| Emergency/pain | 28.0% | ||
| Type of Treatment Provided | Extraction | 33.8% | NS |
| Preventive treatment | 19.1% | ||
| Endodontic treatment | 8.3% | ||
| Restorative treatment | 14.6% | ||
| No treatment | 23.6% | ||
| Prosthodontic treatment | 0.6% | ||
| Frequency of Dental Visits | Every 3 months | 22.9% | NS |
| Every 6 months | 58.6% | ||
| Every 12 months | 3.8% | ||
| I don’t know | 14.6% | ||
| Knowledge and Sources of Information | |||
| Knowledge about Dental Care | Yes | 77.7% | NS |
| No | 22.3% | ||
| Sources of Information | Doctors/Dentists | 70.7% | NS |
| Internet | 14.6% | ||
| TV and media | 3.8% | ||
| Books and printed media | 0.6% | ||
| Other people | 5.7% | ||
| Lectures and educational materials | 2.5% | ||
| Social media | 1.9% | ||
| Education by Dentists | Yes | 72.6% | NS |
| No | 27.4% | ||
| Understanding Information from Dentists | Yes | 88.5% | 0.486 |
| No | 11.5% | ||
| Reading and Understanding Medical Documents | Yes | 84.1% | NS |
| No | 15.9% | ||
| Ease of Finding Information about Special Dental Care | Yes | 84.1% | NS |
| No | 15.9% | ||
| Interest in Educational Dental Programs | Yes | 78.3% | NS |
| No | 21.7% |
DISCUSSION
The study’s conclusions show that Jazan, Saudi Arabian carers for people with special needs have a moderate understanding of oral health issues. Nearly half of the young male carers have completed college or higher. Despite this, gaps in knowledge about essential practices like the use of fluoride and regular dental visits were evident. The significant correlation between higher education levels and better fluoride knowledge underscores the need for targeted educational interventions.
Caregivers primarily rely on dentists for information, suggesting that healthcare professionals play a crucial role in educating them. However, the low use of dental floss and mouthwash indicates that comprehensive oral hygiene practices are not widely adopted. Traditional practices like using Miswak are still prevalent, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive educational materials that integrate modern and traditional methods.[11,12]
While most carers agree that routine dental checkups are important, many still save their trips to the dentist for emergencies and treatments rather than for routine examinations. The necessity of encouraging routine dental checkups is highlighted by the fact that this reactive strategy may exacerbate existing oral health problems.[3,4,9,10]
Oral health behaviors are greatly influenced by cultural beliefs and customs. Including cultural components in educational initiatives can increase their efficacy and acceptance. For example, encouraging Miswak in conjunction with contemporary oral hygiene instruments may enhance compliance with advised procedures.[10,11,12]
This study’s limitations include its use of self-reported data and cross-sectional design, which makes causation impossible to prove. Longitudinal studies should be taken into account in future research in order to evaluate changes over time and the effects of educational interventions. Qualitative research on carers’ obstacles to good oral hygiene habits can also shed light on these issues and help develop focused interventions.
CONCLUSION
According to this study, Jazan, Saudi Arabian carers of people with special needs have a moderate understanding of oral health. The degree of education has a big impact on the knowledge and behaviors of carers, especially when it comes to the value of routine dental appointments and the use of fluoride. Targeted educational initiatives are required to close knowledge gaps and advance thorough oral hygiene habits. Oral health results for people with special needs can be improved by improving carers’ knowledge and skills, which will enhance their general health and quality of life.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
Funding Statement
Nil.
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