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Background: Oral health is a critical component of overall well-being. However, students with disabilities (SWDs) face unique challenges in maintaining oral hygiene and accessing dental care. This study aims to explore oral health behaviours, dental care utilisation, and barriers to accessing dental care among SWDs in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, from the perspectives of their parents. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of SWDs in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire covering oral health behaviours, dental care utilisation, and barriers to care. The sample size was determined based on the SWDs population in the region. Data were analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics, with significant associations identified at p < 0.05. Results: Findings revealed that 45.7% of SWDs brushed irregularly, with only 16.8% brushing twice a day or more. Dental flossing was reported by just 4.3% of SWDs. Emergency-based dental visits were common (51.9%), and 29.5% of SWDs had never visited a dentist. Significant associations were found between maternal education and tooth brushing frequency (p = 0.004) and between parental education and the frequency of dental visits (p = 0.035). The most reported barriers included fear of treatment (47.1%), difficulty finding willing dentists (45.5%), and long wait times for appointments (44.7%). Conclusions: The study emphasises the pressing need for targeted interventions to improve oral hygiene practices and enhance accessibility to dental services for SWDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) face significant barriers in accessing dental care, resulting in poorer oral health outcomes compared to the general population. To reduce dental healthcare disparities, dental professionals must develop positive attitudes and acquire the necessary skills to treat PWDs effectively. This study aimed to assess the experiences, education, training levels, and attitudes of dental students and interns toward PWDs, and to explore the relationships between their exposure to PWDs, their education/training regarding managing PWDs, and their attitudes toward PWDs. Methods: Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. From May to June 2023, a pretested, validated online questionnaire (developed based on existing survey instruments and modified to fit the study context) was distributed to 98 eligible dental students and interns at King Faisal University. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used for analysis. Results: The response rate was 88.78%. There was a statistically positive correlation between students' exposure to PWDs and their attitudes (p < 0.05). Statistically significant relationships were found between students' education/training and their attitudes towards educational experiences and instructors (p < 0.01) and interpersonal interactions with PWDs (p < 0.05). No statistically significant relationship existed between the year of study and future encounters with PWDs (p = 0.176). Additionally, 42.5% of students felt inadequately prepared to treat PWDs, and 88.5% expressed a desire for further education. Notably, 20.7% reported no training on PWDs, while 70.1% preferred clinical education. Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of exposure and training in shaping dental students' attitudes toward PWDs. Dental schools should prioritize structured teaching, greater contact with the disabled community, and hands-on experiences to ensure dental professionals are both well prepared and positively inclined to treat PWDs. These findings have significant implications for improving dental education curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This systematic review aimed to comprehensively summarize and critically assess studies conducted on oral health outcomes among individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study followed the Participants, Exposure, Control and Outcomes (PECO) framework to formulate a focused research question. We conducted an extensive literature search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Medline, Scopus and Embase, in addition to clinical trial registers. Inclusion criteria encompassed clinical studies conducted in either English or Arabic, focusing on CP as defined by the International Classification of Diseases 10 (ICD10), and examining various oral health conditions and parameters. Nonclinical studies, commentaries, other systematic reviews and letters to the editor were excluded. Data extraction included comprehensive information about the study characteristics, oral health outcomes (dental, oral or periodontal disease; changes in standardized indices; dental trauma and other types of oral diseases) and an assessment of the risk of bias using the Appraisal Tool for Cross‐Sectional Studies (AXIS). Results: The initial search yielded a total of 879 articles, ultimately resulting seven studies that met our stringent inclusion criteria. All of these studies were conducted as cross‐sectional investigations in different cities within Saudi Arabia. The sample sizes ranged from 46 to 400 participants, all falling within the age range of 2–18 years. Notably, the prevalence of dental caries among individuals with CP in these studies varied significantly, with rates ranging from 52.9% to as high as 98.6%. Additionally, a substantial portion of CP patients exhibited poor oral hygiene, with figures ranging between 34.6% and 66.2%, and dental trauma was reported in 47.5% of the cases. Moreover, these studies underscored the influence of motor function and intellectual disabilities on the oral health status of CP individuals. Furthermore, various secondary outcomes, including periodontal parameters and oral health‐related quality of life, were also assessed. However, it is essential to acknowledge that several sources of bias were identified within these studies, raising questions about the generalisability of their findings. Conclusion: In conclusion, the systematic review revealed a concerning pattern of high dental caries prevalence and other oral health issues among individuals with CP in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, the need for comparative studies between CP patients and those without CP is evident to establish a definitive understanding of the oral health status of CP individuals. Initiating early interventions such as oral hygiene education, preventive dentistry programs, and orthodontic interventions could potentially contribute to improved oral health outcomes for individuals with CP in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Jazan region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has been extensively studied regarding access to dental care services, but there is currently no specific study on the distribution of public (primary healthcare centres (PHCs) and hospitals) and private dental healthcare facilities in the area. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution of public and private dental care facilities in the Jazan region in relation to the population distribution in each governorate of the region. Methods: The most up-to-date, easily accessible, and anonymous data and information were used for this investigation. The Ministry of Health's (MOH) Statistical Yearbook 2020 and interactive map were used to identify the locations of healthcare facilities. These locations were plotted on a map using Google Maps, and the data was converted to longitude and latitude with 90% level building accuracy. QGIS's integrated database was used to develop buffer zones and perform attribute analysis. The data was then exported for analysis in Microsoft Excel, where healthcare facility-to-population ratios were determined. Results: In Jazan region, consisting of 17 governorates and a population of 1,726,739, there were 275 public and private dental clinics, with a ratio of one dental clinic per 6,279 people in terms of general health services. Only 12.4% of these clinics were located beyond 20 km of the city centre, serving approximately 70% of the region's population. Conclusion: The uneven distribution of dental clinics in the Jazan region has hampered access to dental treatments and has led to a significant burden on dental health facilities, reducing the quality of care available in the region. Mapping the distribution of MOH, private, and other health facilities, as well as the burden of oral disease in the Jazan region, is necessary for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral health promotion (OHP) is a crucial aspect of dental care, as it aims to improve and protect oral health of individuals. This study aimed to qualitatively explore views of oral health providers in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, on their perceptions of their responsibilities for OHP, as well as the barriers and potential opportunities for implementing health promotion in dental practice. Methods: A convenience sample of 11 oral health providers from Ministry of Health (MOH) facilities were recruited and participated in virtual one-on-one semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis with N-Vivo software. Results: The results showed that the providers recognized the significant role and responsibility of OHP in improving oral health. However, several barriers hindered their OHP efforts, including a lack of training, funding, time, and a lack of interest in OHP. Potential opportunities for improvement included increasing recruitment of new oral health providers and educators, developing more training programs for providers and the community, and expanding support in terms of finances and logistics. Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that oral health providers are aware of OHP, but that both patients and organizations will need to shift their behaviours and perspectives for OHP to be successfully implemented. Further research on OHP in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is needed to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to design a geographic theoretical model for school dental services (SDS) in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia (SA), using a geographic information system (GIS). The location of all primary public schools and the student population at each school were obtained from the General Administration of Education in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Region website. The geographic modeling for SDS was analyzed using GIS according to two models. A scenario was developed to simulate the demand for dental care for the two models based on schoolchildren's estimated oral health profile. The areas with the higher number of schools; higher number of students; and dense child population as presented in the map suggest the future location of SDS. The total number of dentists required to work in SDS settings was 415 for the first model, and 277 for the second model. The suggested average number of dentists per district in the highest child population density districts is 18 dentists in the first model, compared to 14 in the second model. Establishing SDS is suggested as a solution to the persistently high prevalence of dental caries among schoolchildren in Al-Madinah and SA in general. A model was suggested for SDS with a guide of the proposed SDS locations and the number of dentists to hire for the services to meet the child population's oral health needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is impossible to attain good general health without maintaining oral health and this becomes problematic when dental services are located far from the population that needs to utilise them. This study aimed to assess the geographic accessibility of dental clinics located in public primary healthcare clinics (PHCs) and hospitals in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia and how long it takes to reach them by car and on foot. Methods: The location of clinics and hospitals, maps of road systems, and the governorates' borders (administrative areas) within the Jazan region were downloaded using the QGIS mapping tool. The time taken to travel to the clinics and hospitals, either by driving or walking, was assessed. If the time was 30 min or less, residents in the area were classified as 'serviced'. It was more than 30 min, they were 'underserved'. Results: Only 31% of Jazan residents were found to live in a serviced area if they drove to clinics and hospitals. Residents of Jazan's seven mountainous governorates were more likely to require services. Only 40% could drive less than 30 min to a primary health dental clinic. Only 19% of people could walk to a hospital in less than 30 min. Only two governorates had a majority of residents who lived in serviced areas. Conclusion: The study demonstrates an accessibility issue, as many Jazan inhabitants must drive or walk for an extended period (> 30 min) to reach a healthcare facility, whether a primary health care centre or a hospital. This issue may result in many people not receiving necessary health care, compromising their oral health status. Additional research is needed to identify public, private and other health facilities in the region and the prevalence of oral disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health systems are becoming more complex, regulatory bodies are increasing their vigilance, and reimbursement practices are shifting toward value, making closing the referral loop an imperative for patient safety, regulatory oversight, and financial viability. The aim of this study was to examine the referral pattern in PHC services and whether a significant variation exists among them based on geographic accessibility to a referred hospital. This was a cross-sectional retrospective study that included all sequentially referred patients between 1 January 2019 and 30 December 2021. A pre-initiative comparison could not be performed, as previous data on the traditional referral system could not be collected. The primary outcome measures considered in this study were the referral rate, and the proportion of the documented appointment date. The healthcare facilities' geographic locations and data of the hospital departments to which the patients were referred were also available. Between 2019 and 2021, the hospital received 52,143 referrals from the 9 designated PHC centres covering 34 districts. In the PHC centres located within the ≤13 km zone, 1 in every 14 patients were referred to the hospital, whereas 1 in every 20 patients visited PHC centres outside this zone. Since the introduction of the Ehalati e-referral system, the number of documented appointment schedules of the referred patients has improved over time by 16.1% (from 79.6% to 95.7%, p < 0.001). Ophthalmologic (17.1%) and dental services (15.4%) received the most referrals among all other specialties, whereas the referral rate for cardiology services was the lowest (2.5%). The documented appointment scheduling record of referred patients has improved significantly since the introduction of the Ehalati e-referral system. However, the results of this study indicate that the proximity of PHC centres to specialised hospitals is more likely associated with higher referral and documented appointment scheduling rates. Strategies that improve scheduling, decrease variation among clinics, and improve patient access will likely improve the closing rates of the referral loop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study focused on the Jazan region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To date, there has not been any documented evidence about geographical distribution of dental health-care services in the region. The study aimed to assess the geographical accessibility of dental health-care services in Jazan. Materials and Methods: Most recent, openly accessible, nonidentifiable data and information were used in this study. The location of health facilities was obtained from the Ministry of Health (MOH) Statistical Yearbook 2020 and interactive map of the MOH, which was converted to longitude and latitude, using Google Maps with 90% of the level building. The study data to be analyzed were imported from the integrated database in Quantum Geographic Information Systems into Microsoft Excel software, where the ratios of health-care facilities to the study population were computed. Results: There were 145 primary health cares (PHCs) and 19 hospitals with a dental component in the Jazan region of 17 governorates with a total of 1,726,739 residents. The overall PHC-, hospital-, and dentist-to-population ratios were 1 PHC to 114,365 residents, 1 hospital to 90,881 residents, and 1 dentist to 9136 residents. Only 14.5% of PHCs and 5.6% of the hospitals served 70% of the population who are living within 20 km from the governorate's center. Conclusion: This study shows that irregular distribution of health services has led to decreased access to services in the region. Further research is needed focusing in mapping MOH, private and other health facilities, and the burden of oral disease in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies have indicated that persons with special needs may face several barriers to dental treatment, which increases the prevalence of oral diseases in this population. Moreover, these studies suggested that Saudis with special needs have a higher prevalence of oral diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal disease. The aim of this review is to synthesize evidence regarding the current status, trends in oral health behaviors, and oral health care utilization among these individuals, as well as to assess the quality of the literature. Furthermore, this review seeks to recommend directions for future research and oral health care policymaking. An electronic search was conducted using the following databases and registers: PubMed/Medline, Embase, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and CENTRAL. Gray literature, which included conference proceedings and unpublished literature, was searched via the library services and Google/Google Scholar, and the quality of studies was assessed using the AXIS scale for cross-sectional studies. A total of 38 studies were included in this review, with the majority of the studies graded as 'low'. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that individuals with special needs have limited access to oral health care, poor oral health status, and a general lack of awareness in regard to oral health. Therefore, nationwide surveys should be carried out to ascertain the actual extent of the oral inequities among individuals with special needs.

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed at quantifying participation in dental research-related activities reported by the Saudi Ministry of Health-associated oral healthcare providers in Jazan and to investigate its association with sociodemographic and professional characteristics, as well as practitioners' perceptions of the Research and Development (R&D) index., Materials and Methods: An online cross-sectional questionnaire was sent to oral health providers in Jazan using a convenience sampling technique. The questionnaire collected data on demographic characteristics and the 16 items of the R&D index. One-way ANOVA and t -tests were used to establish factors associated with R&D index scores. Multiple regression analyses with adjusted effects were conducted to identify the significant predictors for the factors associated with participation in dental research., Results: In total, 113 study participants completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 56.5%. Just over half (53.1%) of the participants were working in primary healthcare centers, and 46.9% were working in hospitals. Most of the study samples were dentists (92.0%), while a small percentage were dental hygienists (4.4%) and assistants (3.4%). The sample's participation in dental research was low with a mean of 3.57 (standard deviation = 3.69). The R&D support ( p <0.001) and intentions ( p = 0.050) significantly predicted the providers' participation in dental research., Conclusion: The current study found that R&D support and intention significantly predicted the providers' participation in dental research. Hence, it is recommended that comprehensive educational and training programs on dental research be developed that focus on the increase and implement it in their practice., Clinical Significance: This study provides insights into factors and obstacles that influence dental research, which may be useful for future investigations.