Nigerian Dentists' Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Treating Children with Special Needs
Author Information
Author(s): Oredugba Folakemi A, Sanu Oluwatosin O
Primary Institution: Department of Child Dental Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
Hypothesis
What is the knowledge and behavior of Nigerian dentists concerning the treatment of children with special needs?
Conclusion
Very few dentists reported to have adequate knowledge of management of children with special needs, but most indicated their willingness to treat them.
Supporting Evidence
- 79.9% response rate from the distributed questionnaires.
- Only 19.3% rated their knowledge of management of CSN as adequate.
- 71% of respondents were willing to treat CSN.
Takeaway
Most dentists in Nigeria want to help children with special needs, but many feel they don't know enough to do it well.
Methodology
Questionnaires were hand delivered to 359 dentists, with 280 completed responses analyzed.
Potential Biases
Self-reported knowledge may not accurately reflect actual competencies.
Limitations
The study may not represent all Nigerian dentists as it was limited to three geographical zones.
Participant Demographics
Majority aged 30-39 years, 56.1% male, with 78.5% recent graduates (10 years and below).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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