Special Health Care Needs – Dentist Perception in Hyderabad, Telangana State

ABSTRACT

In the practice of dentistry we come across patients who need to be attended with special care as they disabled. Treating such patients require knowledge and expertise to manage them with utmost care. Aim: 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. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Study participants were dentists working in clinics in Hyderabad city, Telangana state. Results: Dentists reported good amount of confidence in caring for patients with special health care needs. 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: There is a need to organize extensive programs on management of patients who need special health care services. However the level of perception and the confidence to treat such patients among the dentists belonging to Hyderabad city is satisfactory.