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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the opinion of dental students and dentists regarding the dental treatment of patients with Special Needs and if the teaching provided during the undergraduate course concerning such patients is adequate. METHODOLOGY: A Questionnaire including 10 main items was developed and distributed at the College of Dentistry; Male (Darriyah Campus) and Female (Malaz Campus) in Riyadh, King Saud University. The results were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences) SPSS version 16. The questionnaire included socio-demographic variables, opinion regarding current knowledge and experience in treating Special Care Dentistry patients. Finally, opinion regarding starting a new course for Special Care Dentistry at King Saud University was sought. RESULT: Out of the 300 questionnaires 250 were returned, giving a response rate of 83.3%. Regarding opinion about the theoretical information provided during the course with respect to dentistry for Special Needs patients, most of the respondents either reported it as ‘Inadequate’ or ‘Very Inadequate’. However, there was no statistically significant difference of opinion among the gender. Although exposure to such patients in clinical practice was reported to be ‘very few’ or ‘occasionally’ by most of the respondents (71.2 %) more than three quarter of the respondents (76.4% ) agreed that the treatment of such patients is ‘Challenging’ as compared to the general population. However the majority of the respondents (86.4 %) agreed that a specific Course on Special Care Dentistry would be beneficial for the treatment of such patients; out of which 53 % expressed their opinion to ‘Provide more practice’ for Special Care Dentistry course. CONCLUSION: Among the Special Care group fewer patients are seen at College of Dentistry, Riyadh, King Saud University; when compared to the general population. Most respondents feel that the present amount of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in treating Special Needs patients is insufficient. Majority of the respondents thought that a course designed to deal with the treatment needs of special care dentistry patients would be beneficial in the treatment of such a group.