MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two primary caregivers were interviewed via audio-recorded semistructured focus group discussions to investigate their perceived barriers and challenges in caring for IWSNs. The qualitative data were then analyzed via thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Thirty-two participants took part in a total of nine discussion sessions, where the majority were females (n = 29; 90.63%) and from the Malay race (n = 30; 93.75%). Most of the IWSNs under their care had autism (n = 11; 34.38%) and were between 6 and 10 years of age (n = 13; 40.63%). The main themes identified were related to healthcare services, support systems, caregivers' personal factors, and IWSN issues. Within the healthcare services domain, themes regarding the accessibility and appropriateness of healthcare facilities and the attitudes of staff were uncovered, whereas in the support system domain, themes pertaining to community and peer, family, and governmental support were discussed. In the domain of caregivers' personal factors, themes regarding stress with the burden of care and feelings of guilt were noted, and in the area of IWSN factors, the theme of behavioral difficulties exhibited by IWSNs was discussed.
CONCLUSION: Primary caregivers in Malaysia face challenges with healthcare facilities and staff, gaining support from the community, family, and government, burning out, and feeling guilty as well as behavior issues of their IWSN. Thus, understanding these challenges is vital in providing healthcare services that cater to not only IWSNs but also their caregivers to ensure the success and well-being of all involved.
Aims: This study investigated the impact of an extramural program involving PWD on dental students' professionalism and students' perception of training in managing patients with special needs.
Materials and Methods: A group of 165 undergraduate dental students (year 1 to year 5) participated in a voluntary program, involving 124 visually impaired children, at a special education school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A dedicated module in oral health was developed by specialists in special care dentistry, pedodontics, and medical sciences. Dental students then participated in a semi-structured focus group interview survey to discuss perceptions of their learning experiences. Qualitative data were analyzed via thematic analysis.
Results: The program had positive impact on various aspects categorized into four major domains: professional knowledge (e.g., understanding of oral-systemic-social-environmental health interaction and understanding of disability), professional skills (e.g., communication and organizational skills), professional behavior (e.g., empathy and teamwork), and value-added learning (e.g., photography and information technology skills). Students showed improved willingness to manage, and comfort in managing PWD, and expressed support for future educational programs involving this patient cohort.
Conclusion: Improved knowledge, skills, attitudes, and personal values, as well as support for future programs, indicate the positive impact of extramural educational activities involving PWD in developing professionalism in patient care, while providing an opportunity for students to be exposed to managing patients with special needs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-over study incorporated 90 special needs children who were recruited to receive dental treatment with two ways of behavior guidance exposures consecutively in the order of A-B/B-A design. Exposure A is CBBGT (distraction, tell-show-do, and positive reinforcement), while Exposure B is PB. The dental procedures were either dental prophylaxis or restoration with a handpiece. Caregivers need to answer a paper-based questionnaire before and after exposure. The Wilcoxon sign rank test and logistic regression were utilized in order to establish the comparability, impacts, and association.
RESULT: About 88 caregivers of special needs children aged between 2 and 15 years completed the sequence. Overall, 98.9% of the children presented with neurodevelopmental disorders. Twenty-seven caregivers were significantly concerned when the combination of basic BGT was applied to their children, and 14 caregivers felt the same for PB. However, the Wilcoxon sign rank test revealed insignificant caregiver scores on acceptance and consent for both methods but significantly improved attitudes towards the use of PB after observing the placement of their children.
CONCLUSION: The studied caregiver demonstrated equivalent acceptance, consent, and concern toward the use of PB and a combination of basic BGT with improved attitudes after comprehensive explanation and real-time observation of PB usage during their children's dental treatment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The panoramic radiographic images belonging to children with special needs from the two teaching dental hospitals in Malaysia aged between 5 and 16 years were included in the study. The evaluation was performed by two observers using three methods (London Atlas, Demirjian, and Willems methods) to estimate the accurate DA. The outcome was determined by comparing the mean of the DA and CA.
RESULTS: A total of 52 panoramic radiographs were available for the analysis. The London Atlas and Demirjian methods overestimated the DA with a mean of 0.05 and 0.20 years, respectively, while the Willems method underestimated by 0.19 years. The London Atlas method was highly precise and accurate, while Demirjian and Willems methods were the least precise and accurate.
CONCLUSION: The London Atlas method of DA estimation is highly accurate and valid for children with special needs in the Malaysian population, followed by the Willems and Demirjian methods.