Dental Hygiene Students’ Perceived Knowledge, Attitudes, and Confidence in Treating Patients with Sensory Processing Disorder
Abstract
Children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), may experience barriers to oral healthcare, including lack of dental provider knowledge, preparedness, and attitudes (Cermak et al., 2015). According to a qualitative study conducted by Dao et al. (2005), over 60% of dentists feel either poorly prepared or completely unprepared to safely and effectively treat patients with sensory disabilities. Additionally, a Qualtrics Likert-scale survey conducted by Lynch et al. (2023) studied the attitudes and behaviors of dental providers toward treating patients with special needs. Following analysis, the researchers determined the average dental provider’s confidence in treating patients with special needs was a 2.92, indicating between disagree and agree in feeling confident about their ability to safely and effectively treat patients with special needs (Lynch et al., 2023). Based on this existing literature, this study aims to assess whether occupational therapy student (OTS)-led education on SPD and sensory adapted dental environments significantly impacts dental hygiene students’ perceived knowledge, attitudes, and confidence towards treating to patients with SPD. The goal of the education is aimed at improving access to dental care for this population of patients. Data collection and analysis will be taking place during the spring 2026 semester. A pre- and post-test and Likert-scale survey within Qualtrics will be utilized to assess dental hygiene students’ baseline knowledge and confidence before and following OTS-led education. A paired t-test will be used to analyze pre- and post-test data to determine whether the educational intervention resulted in statistically significant changes in participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and confidence. Expected outcomes from this study include improved student knowledge, increased confidence in applying sensory adaptations to support oral healthcare participation, and more positive attitudes towards treating patients with sensory processing difficulties. Additionally, it is expected that findings will support future interprofessional collaboration between occupational therapy practitioners and dental professionals. References: Cermak, S. A., Stein Duker, L. I., Williams, M. E., Dawson, M. E., Lane, C. J., & Polido, J. C. (2015b). Sensory adapted dental environments to enhance oral care for children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(9), 2876–2888. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2450-5 Dao, L. P., Zwetchkenbaum, S., & Inglehart, M. R. (2005). General dentists and special needs patients: Does dental education matter? Journal of Dental Education, 69(10), 1107–1115. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2005.69.10.tb04011.x Lynch, M. B., Tepper, L. M., Chussid, S., Bijoor, R., & Leite Cavalcanti, A. (2023). Preparedness of dentists to manage anxiety in developmentally disabled patients. International Journal of Dentistry, 2023, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1903411
Start Time
15-4-2026 9:00 AM
End Time
15-4-2026 12:00 PM
Room Number
Culp Ballroom 316
Poster Number
26
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Subtype
Posters - Competitive
Presentation Category
Education
Student Type
Graduate and Professional Degree Students, Residents, Fellows
Faculty Mentor
Don Lewis
Dental Hygiene Students’ Perceived Knowledge, Attitudes, and Confidence in Treating Patients with Sensory Processing Disorder
Culp Ballroom 316
Children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), may experience barriers to oral healthcare, including lack of dental provider knowledge, preparedness, and attitudes (Cermak et al., 2015). According to a qualitative study conducted by Dao et al. (2005), over 60% of dentists feel either poorly prepared or completely unprepared to safely and effectively treat patients with sensory disabilities. Additionally, a Qualtrics Likert-scale survey conducted by Lynch et al. (2023) studied the attitudes and behaviors of dental providers toward treating patients with special needs. Following analysis, the researchers determined the average dental provider’s confidence in treating patients with special needs was a 2.92, indicating between disagree and agree in feeling confident about their ability to safely and effectively treat patients with special needs (Lynch et al., 2023). Based on this existing literature, this study aims to assess whether occupational therapy student (OTS)-led education on SPD and sensory adapted dental environments significantly impacts dental hygiene students’ perceived knowledge, attitudes, and confidence towards treating to patients with SPD. The goal of the education is aimed at improving access to dental care for this population of patients. Data collection and analysis will be taking place during the spring 2026 semester. A pre- and post-test and Likert-scale survey within Qualtrics will be utilized to assess dental hygiene students’ baseline knowledge and confidence before and following OTS-led education. A paired t-test will be used to analyze pre- and post-test data to determine whether the educational intervention resulted in statistically significant changes in participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and confidence. Expected outcomes from this study include improved student knowledge, increased confidence in applying sensory adaptations to support oral healthcare participation, and more positive attitudes towards treating patients with sensory processing difficulties. Additionally, it is expected that findings will support future interprofessional collaboration between occupational therapy practitioners and dental professionals. References: Cermak, S. A., Stein Duker, L. I., Williams, M. E., Dawson, M. E., Lane, C. J., & Polido, J. C. (2015b). Sensory adapted dental environments to enhance oral care for children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(9), 2876–2888. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2450-5 Dao, L. P., Zwetchkenbaum, S., & Inglehart, M. R. (2005). General dentists and special needs patients: Does dental education matter? Journal of Dental Education, 69(10), 1107–1115. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0022-0337.2005.69.10.tb04011.x Lynch, M. B., Tepper, L. M., Chussid, S., Bijoor, R., & Leite Cavalcanti, A. (2023). Preparedness of dentists to manage anxiety in developmentally disabled patients. International Journal of Dentistry, 2023, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1903411
