Understanding the Experiences of Dental Assistants in KSA in Providing Oral Health Education and Its Influence on Patients' General Health Behaviors: A Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

Objective: This qualitative study explored the experiences of dental assistants in Saudi Arabia in providing oral health education to patients and examined how this influences patients' general health behaviors.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 20 dental assistants working in various healthcare settings across Saudi Arabia. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes.
Results: Four main themes emerged: 1) Dental assistants play a crucial role in providing oral health education but face challenges in effectively communicating with some patients; 2) Cultural beliefs and norms influence how patients receive and act on oral health information; 3) Oral health is perceived as an integral part of overall health and well-being; 4) Providing oral health education can positively influence patients' diet, hygiene and lifestyle behaviors.
Conclusion: Dental assistants are uniquely positioned to provide oral health education that can improve patients' oral and general health behaviors. Overcoming cultural and communication barriers is key to enhancing the impact of these educational interventions. Training dental assistants in culturally sensitive communication and collaborating with dieticians and other health providers could help optimize the behavioral impact of oral health education in the Saudi context.