Effect of dental hygienists' self-efficacy on intention to provide dental care to autistic individuals.

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the influence of dental hygiene providers' self-efficacy and the factors affecting self-efficacy on their intent to provide care for autistic individuals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a nonprobability sample of dental hygienists (n=1075), yielding a completion rate of 70.6%. The survey included validated measures to assess participants' demographics, autism training and experience, autism knowledge, self-efficacy, environmental factors, and intention to treat the autistic population. Participants' self-efficacy scores (r=0.416; p<.001) and support from dental offices (r=[0.174; 0.465]; p<.001) had the greatest influence on intent. Clinicians who had more experience treating (r=0.280; p=.005) and received more hours of training/education on treating autistic patients (r=0.344; p<.001) showed a stronger inclination to provide care to this population. Notably, autism knowledge had a weaker impact on intent when compared to self-efficacy and training/education. Autism-focused education and training have a positive effect on provider self-efficacy when caring for autistic individuals. Increased emphasis on such interventions is necessary at all levels of dental hygiene education. The findings from this study can help overcome barriers to preventive dental care for the autistic community.