Motivational Factors for Treating Patients with Special Health Care Needs

TL;DRAbstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess what training and motivational factors dental providers report in providing dental care to PSHCN (patients with special healthcare needs. Materials and Methods: An electronic questionnaire was sent to n=104 fourth year dental students, n=147 general dentists with a specific continuing education course pertaining to PSCHN, and n=140 pediatric dentists in Virginia. The questionnaire consisted of four sections including Demographics, Professional Attitudes, Special Needs Patients and Motivational Factors, and PSCHN Cases. Results: The overall response rate for our study was 21%. The response rates of dental students, general dentists, and pediatric dentists were 30%, 10%, and 25%, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found for 10 out 12 motivational factors. Conclusions: There is a difference in motivational factors among the three different types of dental providers.

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