Dental Students' Perceptions of Undergraduate Training in Oral Health Care for People With Disabilities and Its Influence on Self-Perceived Professional Preparedness.

内容摘要

To evaluate the association between dental students' perceptions of undergraduate training in oral health care for people with disabilities and their self-perceived professional preparedness. This cross-sectional study included 385 final-year undergraduate dental students who completed a structured questionnaire assessing technical and organizational dimensions, work environment management, and ethical and social dimensions. Bivariate Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.20) identified variables for multiple logistic regression modelling (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). Students with formal undergraduate training differed significantly from those without formal training regarding perception of sufficient pedagogical training [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)&#xa0;=&#xa0;4.210; 95% confidence interval (CI)&#xa0;=&#xa0;1.312-13.510; p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.016], insecurity (aOR&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.069; 95% CI&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.026-0.179; p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001), and self-efficacy in technical competence to provide low- (reasonable: aOR&#xa0;=&#xa0;4.130; 95% CI&#xa0;=&#xa0;1.571-10.860; p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.004; adequate: aOR&#xa0;=&#xa0;8.415; 95% CI&#xa0;=&#xa0;2.188-32.369; p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.002), medium-, and high-complexity care (reasonable: aOR&#xa0;=&#xa0;5.530; 95% CI&#xa0;=&#xa0;1.815-16.844; p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.003; adequate: aOR&#xa0;=&#xa0;28.562; 95% CI&#xa0;=&#xa0;2.827-288.532; p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.005). Insecurity was significantly associated with lack of formal training (aOR&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.182; 95% CI&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.072-0.456; p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001). Formal education may be associated with increased self-perceived readiness to deliver care.