Tarakji Bassel, Alsalhani Anas B, Alali Faisal Mehsen, Rastam Samer, Alqhtani Nasser Raqe, Alqahtahni Abdullah Saad, Robaian Ali, Alhedyan Faisal S, Nabhan Abdullah Bin, Alenazi Adel, Alqahtani Khalid Ayidh, Alrafedah Ali, Alleft Abdullah Ahmed Abbas, Alnufaiy Banna, Alshenaiber Rafif, Alghabban Rawda Omar, Alagla Maram, Abuelqomsan Mohammed A S, Alqarni Adel S, Albaijan Refal, Almufleh Laila S, Hashem Qamar, Noushad Mohammed, Nassani Mohammad Zakaria
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Dentistry, Vision Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 2;15(1):28270. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-14039-3.
This study evaluates dentists' knowledge of oral and dental procedures before and after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. A web-based cross-sectional survey was distributed via social media to dentists in six GCC countries, assessing knowledge of pre- and post-radiotherapy oral care. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Among 1,223 participants, the highest representation was from Saudi Arabia (n = 387). Overall, 40.1% had poor knowledge, 51.3% moderate, and 8.7% good. Dentists with less than five years of experience demonstrated better knowledge (p < 0.0033). Saudi dentists and those in government clinics had higher knowledge than private practitioners and dentists in other GCC countries. General practitioners outperformed specialists (p < 0.0033). Knowledge of post-radiotherapy care was better than pre-radiotherapy, with significant gaps in management awareness. The findings highlight substantial knowledge deficiencies, particularly in pre-radiotherapy care. Surprisingly, less experienced dentists performed better, likely due to recent education. Despite relatively higher knowledge among Saudi dentists and government employees, overall knowledge remains suboptimal. These findings underscore the need for targeted education and training programs to enhance dentists' understanding of radiotherapy-related oral care.
本研究评估了海湾合作委员会（GCC）国家头颈癌患者放疗前后牙医对口腔和牙科程序的了解情况。通过社交媒体向GCC六个国家的牙医开展了一项基于网络的横断面调查，评估放疗前后口腔护理知识。使用描述性统计、卡方检验和逻辑回归分析数据。在1223名参与者中，人数最多的是沙特阿拉伯（n = 387）。总体而言，40.1%的人知识水平较差，51.3%的人中等，8.7%的人良好。经验少于五年的牙医表现出更好的知识水平（p < 0.0033）。沙特牙医以及在政府诊所工作的牙医比私人执业者和其他GCC国家的牙医知识水平更高。全科医生的表现优于专科医生（p < 0.0033）。放疗后护理的知识比放疗前更好，但在管理意识方面存在显著差距。研究结果突出了知识的严重不足，尤其是在放疗前护理方面。令人惊讶的是，经验较少的牙医表现更好，可能是由于近期接受了教育。尽管沙特牙医和政府雇员的知识水平相对较高，但总体知识水平仍不理想。这些发现强调需要有针对性的教育和培训项目，以提高牙医对放疗相关口腔护理的理解。
