Promoting Arabic Sign Language Skills Among Dental Students

Figures & data

Table 1 Frequency and Percentage of Correct Answer of Awareness and Knowledge About Deaf Patients

Awareness and Knowledge About Deaf Patients	Before	After	P value^
	N=141	N=141
Overall (mean ± SD)	9.8±7.1	22.9±14.8	<0.001*
Arabic language can be accurately lip read	28(19.9)	78(55.3)	<0.001*
The interpreter should wait with the patient until the dentist ready	5(3.5)	83(58.9)	<0.001*
Arabic Sign Language need word-for-word translation	28(19.9)	71(50.4)	<0.001*
Parents with deaf children never learn to sign	13(9.2)	60(42.6)	<0.001*
Dentist should face the interpreter and explain to the interpreter	40(28.4)	87(61.7)	<0.001*
Help cure patient’s deafness should the top priority	44(31.2)	59(41.8)	0.029*
Deaf people literacy is equal to or better than the general public	11(7.8)	42(29.8)	<0.001*
A good interpreter will be able to step out of his/her interpreting role in order to explain	12(8.5)	43(30.5)	<0.001*
When there is a source of light, your patient should be seated with his back to the light source	16(11.3)	85(60.3)	<0.001*
There is very little that can be done to improve an infant’s hearing due to its age	21(14.9)	53(37.6)	<0.001*
You should speak each word very slowly, to allow the interpreter to sign or fingerspell your words	20(14.2)	41(29.1)	0.001*
For most members of the deaf community, Arabic is their primary language	33(23.4)	77(54.6)	<0.001*
When a deaf patient is hospitalized, the entire staff should be notified that the patient is deaf	74(52.5)	122(86.5)	<0.001*
At the end of the dental visit, the interpreter should again review the information with the patient	61(43.3)	94(66.7)	<0.001*
Deaf patients generally do not participate in support groups. The main reason for this is due to the language barrier	26(18.4)	77(54.6)	<0.001*
On average, deaf patients report that they are unable to convey adequate information to their doctors	38(27.0)	106(75.2)	<0.001*
Most of the dentists who have deaf patients use a certified interpreter	29(20.6)	82(58.2)	<0.001*
Ninety percent of deaf people have hearing parents	17(12.1)	51(36.2)	<0.001*
If a child have a hearing loss, you should him to an optometrist	12(8.5)	69(48.9)	<0.001*
It is the patients’ responsibility to schedule the interpreter if they think one will be needed	32(22.7)	46(32.6)	<0.001*
In complicated surgical information, it would be better to tell the patient to bring along someone to assist with the interpretation	30(21.3)	32(22.7)	0.003*
It is the patients’ responsibility to pay for the interpreter if he need	14(9.9)	53(37.6)	<0.001*
If a deaf patient requests an interpreter, you may ask your nurse, who has taken several semesters of Arabic Sign Language classes, to interpret for the consultation	9(6.4)	25(17.7)	0.002*
If you suspect hearing loss in an infant, you should make a note to recheck the infant’s hearing on the next visit	7(5.0)	19(13.5)	0.027*
American Disabilities Act requires an interpreter be present whether the patient wants one or not	5(3.5)	39(27.7)	<0.001*

Notes: ^P value were calculated using McNemar test; *P value < 0.05.

Table 2 Frequency and Percentage of Correct Answer of Clinical Scenario

Clinical Scenario	Before	After	P value^
	N=141	N=141
Overall (mean ± SD)	2.0±2.9	8.9±3.2	<0.001*
In a medical setting, deaf patient can express a preference for a particular interpreter	30(21.3)	65(46.1)	<0.001*
In a medical setting, it is the right of the deaf patient to be provided with an interpreter by the practitioner	24(17.0)	61(43.3)	<0.001*
In a medical setting, it is the right of the deaf patient to determine how much personal information he/she wants to disclose in an interpreted situation	25(17.7)	63(44.7)	<0.001*
The dental clinic has arranged for you to give a presentation on a dental topic with the assistance of an Arabic Sign Language interpreter. The audience (deaf patients), are all socializing. You are ready to begin. You should stand on stage and wait patiently for the audience to settle down	19(13.5)	42(29.8)	<0.001*
The dental clinic has arranged for you to give a presentation on a dental topic with the assistance of an Arabic Sign Language interpreter. The audience (deaf patients), are all socializing. You are ready to begin. You should Use the lights on and off several times to get the audience’s attention	14(9.9)	49(34.8)	<0.001*
The dental clinic has arranged for you to give a presentation on a dental topic with the assistance of an Arabic Sign Language interpreter. The audience (deaf patients), are all socializing. You are ready to begin. You should clap loudly	18(12.8)	51(36.2)	<0.001*
The dental clinic has arranged for you to give a presentation on a dental topic with the assistance of an Arabic Sign Language interpreter. The audience (deaf patients), are all socializing. You are ready to begin. You should ask the interpreter to sign that you are ready to begin	18(12.8)	54(38.3)	<0.001*
In a consultation room, where would you suggest the patient and interpreter to sit? Place the interpreter beside the patient. The patient and the interpreter are facing the provider	11(7.8)	39(27.7)	<0.001*
In a consultation room, where would you suggest the patient and interpreter to sit? Place the interpreter beside the provider. The provider and the interpreter are facing the patient	21(14.9)	53(37.6)	<0.001*
In a consultation room, where would you suggest the patient and interpreter to sit? Place the interpreter at an equal distance between the provider and the patient	9(6.4)	29(20.6)	<0.001*
You have an emergency patient and you call for a patient several times. Others in the room point to a person reading a magazine and say “She’s deaf”. You should approach the patient and gently tap her on the shoulder	20(14.2)	58(41.1)	<0.001*
You have an emergency patient and you call for a patient several times. Others in the room point to a person reading a magazine and say “She’s deaf”. You should approach the patient and call their name louder	15(10.6)	58(41.1)	<0.001*
You have an emergency patient and you call for a patient several times. Others in the room point to a person reading a magazine and say “She’s deaf”. You should approach the patient, making small gestures in her field of vision to try to get her attention	16(11.3)	59(42.8)	<0.001*

Notes: ^P value were calculated using McNemar test; *P value < 0.05.

Table 3 Practical Sign Language Skills of Dental Related Vocabulary

Dental Related Vocabulary	Before	After	P value^
	N=141	N=141
Overall (mean ± SD)	3.7±3.3	11.1±1.7	<0.001*
Welcome	63(44.7)	69(48.9)	<0.001*
Wait	19(13.5)	73(51.8)	<0.001*
Pain	47(33.3)	73(51.8)	<0.001*
Be calm	48(34.0)	74(52.5)	<0.001*
Main problem	27(19.1)	73(51.8)	<0.001*
Tooth	18(12.8)	87(62.1)	<0.001*
Gum	28(19.9)	70(49.6)	<0.001*
Taking medications	16(11.3)	55(39.0)	<0.001*
Prescription	31(22.0)	65(46.1)	<0.001*
Dentist	24(17.0)	71(50.4)	<0.001*
X ray	27(19.1)	72(51.1)	<0.001*

Notes: ^P value were calculated using McNemar test; *P value < 0.05.