Knowledge, Confidence & Experience of Dental Professionals in Treating Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objective: To assess the knowledge, self-perceived confidence, and experiences of dental professionals in managing patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted among 384 dental professionals at Sardar Begum Dental College, Peshawar. Participants were...

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Main Authors: Aiman Niaz, Brekhna Spogmay, Zeenat Hadi, Ruqayya Sana, Huzaifa Rafi, Rida Bahar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Lahore 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of University College of Medicine and Dentistry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.uol.edu.pk/jucmd/article/view/3779
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author Aiman Niaz
Brekhna Spogmay
Zeenat Hadi
Ruqayya Sana
Huzaifa Rafi
Rida Bahar
author_facet Aiman Niaz
Brekhna Spogmay
Zeenat Hadi
Ruqayya Sana
Huzaifa Rafi
Rida Bahar
author_sort Aiman Niaz
collection DOAJ
description Objective: To assess the knowledge, self-perceived confidence, and experiences of dental professionals in managing patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted among 384 dental professionals at Sardar Begum Dental College, Peshawar. Participants were selected using a simple convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire that included both closed-ended and open-ended items. Closed-ended questions assessed knowledge and self-perceived confidence in managing patients with ASD, while open-ended questions explored participants' experiences and perceived challenges. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to report percentages for categorical variables. Thematic analysis of qualitative responses was conducted using Braun and Clarke’s framework. Results: More than half of the respondents (64.9%) reported never having interacted with a patient diagnosed with ASD. Overall, respondents demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge about the condition. Notably, 34.8% of dentists expressed no confidence in treating children or adults with ASD. Challenges related to patient compliance and communication were identified as significant barriers to providing effective dental care for individuals with ASD. Conclusion: Most dentists reported limited experience in treating patients with ASD, demonstrated moderate understanding of the condition, and expressed low confidence in managing their care. Common challenges included communication barriers and lack of adequate training.
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spelling doaj-art-e93d8a1aa5984b3e9477df3c0f65aa7c2025-08-20T02:07:23ZengUniversity of LahoreJournal of University College of Medicine and Dentistry2790-34432790-34512025-06-014210.51846/jucmd.v4i2.3779Knowledge, Confidence & Experience of Dental Professionals in Treating Patients with Autism Spectrum DisorderAiman Niaz0Brekhna Spogmay1Zeenat Hadi2Ruqayya Sana3Huzaifa Rafi4Rida Bahar5Sardar Begum Dental College, Gandhara UniversitySardar Begum Dental College & HospitalSardar Begum Dental CollegeSardar Begum Dental CollegeSardar Begum Dental CollegeSardar Begum Dental College Objective: To assess the knowledge, self-perceived confidence, and experiences of dental professionals in managing patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted among 384 dental professionals at Sardar Begum Dental College, Peshawar. Participants were selected using a simple convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire that included both closed-ended and open-ended items. Closed-ended questions assessed knowledge and self-perceived confidence in managing patients with ASD, while open-ended questions explored participants' experiences and perceived challenges. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to report percentages for categorical variables. Thematic analysis of qualitative responses was conducted using Braun and Clarke’s framework. Results: More than half of the respondents (64.9%) reported never having interacted with a patient diagnosed with ASD. Overall, respondents demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge about the condition. Notably, 34.8% of dentists expressed no confidence in treating children or adults with ASD. Challenges related to patient compliance and communication were identified as significant barriers to providing effective dental care for individuals with ASD. Conclusion: Most dentists reported limited experience in treating patients with ASD, demonstrated moderate understanding of the condition, and expressed low confidence in managing their care. Common challenges included communication barriers and lack of adequate training. https://journals.uol.edu.pk/jucmd/article/view/3779Autism Spectrum DisorderDentistsIntellectual DisabilityOral HealthDental clinics
spellingShingle Aiman Niaz
Brekhna Spogmay
Zeenat Hadi
Ruqayya Sana
Huzaifa Rafi
Rida Bahar
Knowledge, Confidence & Experience of Dental Professionals in Treating Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Journal of University College of Medicine and Dentistry
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Dentists
Intellectual Disability
Oral Health
Dental clinics
title Knowledge, Confidence & Experience of Dental Professionals in Treating Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
title_full Knowledge, Confidence & Experience of Dental Professionals in Treating Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
title_fullStr Knowledge, Confidence & Experience of Dental Professionals in Treating Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, Confidence & Experience of Dental Professionals in Treating Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
title_short Knowledge, Confidence & Experience of Dental Professionals in Treating Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
title_sort knowledge confidence experience of dental professionals in treating patients with autism spectrum disorder
topic Autism Spectrum Disorder
Dentists
Intellectual Disability
Oral Health
Dental clinics
url https://journals.uol.edu.pk/jucmd/article/view/3779
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AT zeenathadi knowledgeconfidenceexperienceofdentalprofessionalsintreatingpatientswithautismspectrumdisorder
AT ruqayyasana knowledgeconfidenceexperienceofdentalprofessionalsintreatingpatientswithautismspectrumdisorder
AT huzaifarafi knowledgeconfidenceexperienceofdentalprofessionalsintreatingpatientswithautismspectrumdisorder
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