This study analyzed students and educator’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards performing certain dental procedures and appropriate treatment modalities for hearing-impaired patients.
A survey was sent to all faculty and student at one Midwestern University via BlueEval, the university’s survey program. Content validity and survey construction were verified by two independent individuals with expertise in special needs patients prior to distribution. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 statistical software and statistical significance was determined (α = 0.05).
Faculty data showed that minority faculty were slightly more comfortable treating the hearing-impaired population. Faculty also felt confident in their knowledge about and treatment of this population and being able to relay that on to the students. Compared to the students, the younger student population were much more skeptical of the abilities of the faculty to help them through an appointment with a hearing-impaired patient.
It is important that these future professionals develop not only necessary practical skills but also a change in attitude, as professionals, concerning treating hearing-impaired patients. There is a necessity to increase the level of teaching in order to make the student feel more comfortable in treating hearing-impaired patients.
Treating Hearing-Impaired Patients: The Perspectives of Dental Faculty and Students