Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40718248›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Preparedness, Satisfaction, and Intentions Among Dental Students Treating Patients With Disabilities: Evidence From Two Mexican Dental Schools.

Pedro Rosales García, Grecia Carolina Medina Morales, Alan Martínez Zumarán, Adriana Torre Delgadillo, Carlos Bermúdez Jiménez, Joshua Hernández Benavidez, Miguel Angel Casillas Santana, Oscar Lozano González, Nuria Patiño-Marín, Marco Felipe Salas Orozco

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Pedro Rosales GarcíaFaculty of Stomatology of the Northeastern Regional Complex, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla, Puebla, MEX.
Grecia Carolina Medina MoralesDentistry, Clinical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Stomatology, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, MEX.
Alan Martínez ZumaránSpecialty in Orthodontics and Dentomaxillofacial Orthopedics, Faculty of Stomatology, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, MEX.
Adriana Torre DelgadilloSpecialty in Orthodontics and Dentomaxillofacial Orthopedics, Faculty of Stomatology, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, MEX.
Carlos Bermúdez JiménezAcademic Unit of Dentistry, Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Zacatecas, MEX.
Joshua Hernández BenavidezFaculty of Stomatology of the Northeastern Regional Complex, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla, Puebla, MEX.
Miguel Angel Casillas SantanaStomatology with Terminal Option in Orthodontics, Faculty of Stomatology, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla, Puebla, MEX.
Oscar Lozano GonzálezDentistry, Clinical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Stomatology, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, MEX.
Nuria Patiño-MarínClinical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Stomatology, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, MEX.
Marco Felipe Salas OrozcoDentistry, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, MEX.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe inclusion of people with disabilities in oral healthcare is increasingly recognized as a global priority. Despite this, individuals with disabilities continue to face significant barriers to dental care, often due to a lack of specialized training among providers. Dental education plays a crucial role in preparing future practitioners to deliver inclusive and equitable care.

objectiveThis study aimed to assess the perceptions, satisfaction, and professional intentions of dental students regarding their preparedness to treat patients with disabilities, and to compare these perceptions between two Mexican dental schools.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate dental students from the third to sixth year at two institutions: the Faculty of Stomatology at the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP) and the Faculty of Dentistry at the Northeastern Regional Complex of the Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla (BUAP). A validated 14-item questionnaire was adapted and administered in person, reaching over 90% of the eligible population. Statistical analysis was performed using JASP software, applying chi-square tests to identify institutional differences in attitudes, perceptions, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions.

resultsA total of 502 students participated (248 (49.4%) from UASLP and 254 (50.6%) from BUAP). Female students comprised 201 (81.0%) at UASLP and 181 (71.3%) at BUAP, while male students represented 47 (19.0%) at UASLP and 73 (28.7%) at BUAP. BUAP students consistently reported significantly higher satisfaction with classroom, clinical, and extramural experiences, and greater confidence in treating patients with disabilities (p < 0.001). Differences were also found in perceived institutional support and faculty expertise. While both groups acknowledged the importance of improving disability-related education, 207 (81.5%) BUAP students expressed stronger behavioral intentions to include patients with disabilities in their future practice compared to 156 (62.9%) from UASLP (p = 0.00095).

conclusionDespite a shared recognition of the importance of disability care, significant institutional differences were found in students' preparedness and educational experiences. These findings highlight the urgent need to enhance dental curricula with structured, experiential training and faculty development to ensure that future professionals are equipped to provide ethical and inclusive care to all patient populations.

Indexed as

attitudes and intentionsdental educationinclusive dental caremexican dental schoolsspecial care dentistry

Identifiers

PMID40718248
PMCPMC12294677

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.