Oral Health Awareness and Practices of Special Needs Caregivers in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Goal: To evaluate the knowledge and practices of oral health among Jazan, Saudi Arabian carers for people with special needs. Methods: Jazan Special Needs Center carers participated in a cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire covering demographics, oral health behaviors, frequency of dental visits, and information sources was used to gather data. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests for relationships were used in the statistical study. Findings: Of the 157 carers who took part, 70.1% were men and 29.9% were women. The bulk of carers knew the fundamentals of good oral hygiene, however, there were misconceptions regarding fluoride and the value of routine dental checkups. For information, the majority of carers turned to dentists and the media. The degree of education and oral health knowledge of carers were significantly correlated (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, Jazan carers are somewhat aware of oral health issues. To enhance oral health outcomes for people with special needs, educational interventions aimed at carers are required. These interventions should emphasize the advantages of fluoride and frequent dental check-ups.