Exploring the knowledge, attitudes, and performance of dentists in providing care to elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Supportive care and dental treatment for older adults are crucial in addressing the global emergency of population aging, requiring specialized healthcare services and knowledge-based practices. METHODS: This cross-sectional content analysis study was conducted on 150 general dentists in Kerman in 2021. The participants were selected using cluster sampling. The data were collected using a questionnaire with four sections assessing the participants' demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and performance. The data were analyzed with SPSS-26 software using the t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The dentists' mean age was 36.10 ± 7.60 years. The mean knowledge score of the participants was 5.29 ± 1.49 (out of 9). The mean attitude score was 59.42 ± 11.6 (out of 85), and the mean performance score was 24.13 ± 4.96 (out of a maximum of 35). The data showed a positive relationship between the dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and performance. However, the participants' gender had no significant correlation with their knowledge, attitudes, or performance. It was also shown that 50% of dentists had adequate experience treating elderly patients with complex medical problems. CONCLUSIONS: The participants had an adequate level of knowledge and performance and a positive attitude toward dental care for older adults. Health officials and administrators need to organize and hold effective training and refresher courses on geriatric dentistry to promote dentists' knowledge and performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Ethics code IR.KMU.REC.1401.007.

The Challenges and Achievements in the Implementation of the Natural Childbirth Instruction Program: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: The natural childbirth instruction program, which aims to reduce the cesarean section (C-section) rates in the country and pay attention to demographic policies, has achieved significant accomplishments in the short time span since it was implemented throughout the country. In the present study, the advantages and challenges of the implementation of this program have been analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study carried out with the participation of 32 knowledgeable individuals who were selected using purposeful sampling and snowball sampling methods among the personnel of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, and it's affiliated educational (university) hospital. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews based on the research objectives, review of texts, and experts' experiences. Data analysis was performed using content analysis method in MaxQDA software. RESULTS: Data analysis provided the 5 main categories of implementation instructions' strengths, implementation instructions' defects, implementation instructions' achievements, implementation instructions' challenges and threats, and suggestions. CONCLUSIONS: Accountability in the system that provides health care services for pregnant mothers in public hospitals has been created through the implementation of the natural childbirth promotion package. If managerial barriers and executive and legal inefficiencies are followed up and suitable measures are taken for solving the intra-system conflicts, we can hope that the package, which has been one of the most serious efforts made by the Ministry of Health over the past decades to reduce cesarean delivery, will achieve significant accomplishments.