Public Attitudes Toward Chairside Screening for Medical Conditions in Dental Settings

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study is to investigate the public’s attitudes and knowledge toward chairside dental screening and laboratory investigations based on demographic data.

Methods

A self-administered structured questionnaire regarding chairside screening was designed employing a 5-point Likert-type scale. The questionnaire was distributed to among sample of adults. Data were collected and statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and P values.

Results

A total of 573 questionnaires were completed. Most respondents were willing to have a dentist conduct screening for diseases, in particular blood measurement (89%), hypertension (85.7%) and lab result discussion (83.1%), having medical condition did not affect the willingness. The lowest reported willingness was to undergo biopsy (54%) and hepatitis screening (67.6%) Age, education, hospital, and prior chairside screening were found to be significant factors for willingness.

Conclusion

The population’s willingness to undergo chairside medical screenings in the dental office is crucial for the implementation of this strategy and to deliver a holistic approach to treating patients’ medical conditions.

Keywords:

• chairside screening
• dental
• medical conditions
• public

Data Sharing Statement

Data are available and can be provided upon request.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

Ethical approval was obtained from Research Ethics Committee, Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (KSU-IRB 017E). Participation was voluntary, and consent was obtained prior to contribution. All participations were informed about the purpose of the study before contribution. This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Consent for Publication

The authors have given their consent that the details of any images, videos, recordings, etc., can be published, and that the persons providing consent have been shown the article contents to be published.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their deepest thanks to the Researchers Support and Services Unit at King Saud University for their editorial assistance.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This research project was supported by a grant from the “Research Center of the Female Scientific and Medical Colleges”, Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University.