Continuing professional education: attitudes and needs of Saudi dentists

ABSTRACT

The Importance of Continuing Professional Education [CPE] has been repeatedly asserted and advocated In the literature as a most effective and efficient way to ensure competency. The purpose of this survey was to report Saudi dentists' attitudes, behavior and perceived needs toward continuing education. The survey was conducted in 1998 among dentists from different areas of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Eight hundred and fifty questionnaires were distributed among active and nonactive members of the Saudi Dental Society. The response rate was 53.7%. The result indicated that in the absence of mandatory CPE courses In Saudi Arabia, dentists currently participate voluntarily In these courses and as when available. it was also found that there was an apparent lack of commitment of dentists to continuing education, indeed, most of the respondents supported the Idea of mandatory CPE and the Implementation of Saudi dental license regulations