Significant Differences Of Opinion Research Articles

A comparative study on iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 from Vietnamese consumer perception

The objective of this research is to analyze the product innovation aspect in two comparable smartphones and partly illustrate perception and preference of Vietnamese consumers of two smartphone lines of Apple - iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung - Samsung Galaxy Note 4. The research tries to clarify which innovative features in two smartphones are more preferable to a group of consumer in Vietnam. The reason why the research studies iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 when iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy Note 7 have just released is that passing more than one year is enough time for consumers to totally experience both 2 smartphone lines to give the most precise and truthful evaluation for their preferences. Moreover, iPhone 6 Plus launch signed one of the most historical memorable landmark in the development process of iPhone products when it introduced larger-screen iPhone model for the first time. It is such an important change of iPhone which could open a new continuing successful era for Apple and iPhone. The first phase of this study involves analyzing strengths and weaknesses existed considering the opportunities and threats from the competitive market, then a competitive advantage analysis is implemented for each product. The second phase conducts a survey with Vietnamese participants from different backgrounds, by which a Mann-Whitney U test will be executed to check the significant difference in opinions in different respondent groups by age and by gender to several features of two smartphones. By conducting the survey, some interesting facts revealed with the winner seemingly falling into iPhone 6 Plus. However, it still reveals some significant difference among respondent groups by age and by gender to both iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in several comparing features.

Health and energy preferences: Rethinking the social acceptance of energy systems in the United States

Does a person’s health impact their opinions about energy sources? This article tests whether people with health problems prefer less physically harmful energy sources using data from a 2011 survey of 1382 U.S. residents. 19% of respondents reported their health as “only fair” or worse, and a smaller proportion of these people supported coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy than of respondents who had “good” or “excellent” health. The analysis finds significant differences in opinion by gender, age, and other demographic characteristics. These findings are consistent with previous U.S. studies on energy preferences. After controlling for political party, ideology, sex, age, education, race, religion, and geographical region, this article shows that people with health problems are not more likely to back renewable energy, but that they are significantly less likely to support coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. These results may be utilized by a variety of policy-oriented groups. They can help shape interest groups’ advocacy strategies, advise decisions about what communities to avoid when developing energy facilities, and guide policymakers’ attempts to initiate energy policy that will be supported by the public by increasing understanding about how energy preferences are formed.

The Importance of Business Model Factors for Cloud Computing Adoption: Role of Previous Experiences

Abstract Background and Purpose: Bringing several opportunities for more effective and efficient IT governance and service exploitation, cloud computing is expected to impact the European and global economies significantly. Market data show that despite many advantages and promised benefits the adoption of cloud computing is not as fast and widespread as foreseen. This situation shows the need for further exploration of the potentials of cloud computing and its implementation on the market. The purpose of this research was to identify individual business model factors with the highest impact on cloud computing adoption. In addition, the aim was to identify the differences in opinion regarding the importance of business model factors on cloud computing adoption according to companies’ previous experiences with cloud computing services. Methodology: Based on literature review, prior research results, and interviews with cloud computing providers and users, a research model was developed. Statistical analysis focused on identification of factors’ importance on cloud computing adoption and differences in opinions according to respondents’ previous experiences with cloud computing services. The study was done among 80 companies and five major cloud computing providers in Slovenia. Results: The research results reveal statistically significant differences in opinions on the importance of cloud computing business model factors according to respondents’ previous experiences with cloud computing services. The results can provide orientation for redesign or innovation of existing business models towards the creation of a customer-oriented business model for the more successful exploitation of cloud computing services and business opportunities. For potential users, the findings represent guidelines for the successful adoption of cloud computing services. Conclusions: In our research, the investigated business model factors could be classified into so-called “business model organizational factors”, as they primarily need to be considered by cloud service providers when defining or innovating their business models. For future research, the model should also include the impact of environmental factors, such as Competition, Business Partners, Legislation, Economic Situation, in order to investigate their impact on cloud adoption.

الاحتیاجات الَّتدریبیة لتنمیة مهارات الاستشارة والعمل الجماعی لدى مُعلمی الصُّم وضِعَاف السَّمع فی برامج الدَّمج Training needs for the development of counseling and collaboration skills of deaf and hard of hearing teachers in integration programs

هدفت الدراسة الحالية إلى التعرف على أکثر الاحتياجات التدريبية أهمية لتنمية مهارات الاستشارة والعمل الجماعي لدى معلمي الصم وضعاف السمع في برامج الدمج بمدينة الرياض، بالإضافة إلى التعرف على درجة اختلاف تلک الاحتياجات لدى العينة وفقا لمتغيرات (الجنس، المؤهل العلمي، المرحلة التعليمية، سنوات الخبرة، الدورات التدريبية)، وتکونت عينة الدراسة من (100) معلم ومعلمة ممن يعملون في برامج دمج الصم وضعاف السمع بمدارس التعليم العام بمدينة الرياض، ممن تم اختيارهم بطريقة عشوائية، وقد طبق على العينة استبانة صممتها الباحثتان خصيصا لتحديد تلک الاحتياجات، وقد استخدمت الباحثتان المنهج الوصفي لملاءمته لأهداف الدراسة، وتوصلت الدراسة في نتائجها إلى أن أکثر العبارات التي حصلت على درجة احتياج کبيرة في محور الاستشارة کانت: «التعرف على طبيعة العلاقة بين الاستشارة والعمل الجماعي في مجال التربية الخاصة»، بينما کانت أکثر العبارات التي حصلت على درجة احتياج کبيرة في محور العمل الجماعي هي العبارة: «معرفة مفهوم العمل الجماعي في برامج دمج الصم وضعاف السمع»، کما أظهرت الدراسة عدم وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في آراء أفراد العينة باختلاف الجنس، والمرحلة التعليمية، وسنوات الخبرة، بينما أظهرت وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في آراء أفراد العينة باختلاف المؤهل العلمي لصالح أصحاب مؤهل ماجستير التربية الخاصة، بالإضافة إلى وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في آراء العينة باختلاف الدورات التدريبية لصالح من يملکون دورات تدريبية في مجال الاستشارة والعمل الجماعي، وقد انتهت الدراسة بمجموعة من التوصيات. The present study aimed at identifying the most important training needs for the development of counseling and teamwork skills of teachers for deaf and hearing-impaired students in the integration programs in Riyadh, in addition to identifying the degree of variation of these needs among the sample according to the variables (gender, scientific qualification, educational level, years of experience, training courses). The study sample consisted of (100) female and male teachers working in the integration programs for deaf and hearing impaired students in Riyadh, who were randomly chosen. A questionnaire was designed specifically to identify these needs. Both researchers used descriptive approach for its relevance to the study objectives. The study concluded that the most important phrase that obtained a big degree of need in the counseling axis was “Identifying the relationship between counseling and teamwork in special education field”, while the most widely used phrase in the teamwork axis was Knowing the concept of teamwork in integration programs of deaf and hearing-impaired students”. The study also showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the opinions of the sample according to gender, educational level, and years of experience, while there were statistically significant differences in the opinions of the sample according to the scientific qualification in favor of holders of the special education qualification, in addition to the existence of statistically significant differences in the sample opinions according to the training courses for those who have training courses in the field of counseling and teamwork. The study has ended with a set of recommendations.

Opinion survey of members of British Society of Children’s Orthopaedic Surgery related to specific case scenarios in slipped capital femoral epiphysis

The aim of this study was to assess contemporary management of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) by surveying members of the British Society of Children's Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS). A questionnaire with five case vignettes was used. Two questions examined the timing of surgery for an acute unstable SCFE in a child presenting at 6 and 48 h after start of symptoms. Two further questions explored the preferred method of fixation in mild and severe stable SCFE. The final question examined the management of the contralateral normal hip. Responses were entered into an Excel spreadsheet and the data was analysed using a χ-test. The response rate was 56% (110/196). Overall, 88% (97/110) responded that if a child presented with an acute unstable SCFE within 6 h, they would treat it within 24 h of presentation, compared with 41% (45/110) for one presenting 48 h after the onset of symptoms (P<0.0001). Overall, 53% (58/110) of surveyed BSCOS members would offer surgery for an unstable SCFE between 1 and 7 days after onset of symptoms. Single screw fixation in situ for mild stable SCFE was advocated by 96% (106/110) with 71% (78/110) using this method for the treatment of severe stable SCFE. Corrective osteotomy is used by 2% (2/110) and 25% (28/110) of respondents for mild and severe stable SCFE, respectively (P<0.0001). Surgeons preferring osteotomy are more likely to perform an intracapsular technique. Prophylactic fixation of the contralateral normal hip was performed by 27% (30/110) of respondents. There are significant differences in opinions between BSCOS members as to the optimal management of SCFE. This reflects the variable recommendations and quality in the current scientific literature. Further research is therefore required to determine best practice and enable consensus to be reached.

Cloud Computing Adoption Business Model Factors: Does Enterprise Size Matter?

This paper presents the results of research investigating the impact of business factors on cloud computing adoption. The introduced research model consists of 40 cloud computing business model factors, grouped into eight factor groups, identified from prior research and interviews with cloud computing providers and users. Defined business model factors were estimated to have an impact on cloud computing adoption in companies. Their impact and importance of cloud computing adoption were investigated among companies in Slovenia. Furthermore, differences in opinion according to company size were investigated. The HO1 hypothesis stating all business model factor groups have the same impact on cloud computing adoption has been confirmed. There are no statistically significant impacts of investigated business model factor groups to cloud computing adoption. Nevertheless, based on slope coefficient directions and t statistics values, some factor groups can be recognized as having moderate or strong, positive impact on cloud computing adoption; although their impact cannot be statistically confirmed with 95% or 90% levels of confidence. Furthermore, significant differences in opinion about the importance of business model factor groups and factors to cloud computing adoption according to company size have been identified. The results represent a contribution to the theory of cloud computing adoption from the perspective of the provider’s business model. In addition, findings provide orientation for innovation of existing business models towards the creation of a customer-oriented business model for more successful exploitation of cloud computing services and new business opportunities.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.28.3.17422

Social Dominance Orientation, Language Orientation, and Deaf Identity.

The notion of the Deaf community as a linguistic-cultural minority has been increasingly recognized and studied over the last two decades. However, significant differences of opinion and perspective within that population typically have been neglected in the literature. Social dominance orientation (SDO), a theoretical construct, typically focusing on intergroup perceptions and relations, is one aspect that has been left unexplored and might prove particularly enlightening. The present study investigated SDO among 119 deaf and 49 hearing young adults through a standardized SDO questionnaire. SDO was examined with regard to cultural identities (deaf, hearing, bicultural, and marginal), cochlear implant use, and language orientation (sign language or spoken language). The deaf participants were found to be more egalitarian than hearing individuals overall. Deaf individuals who held the strongest deaf identities, those who were sign language oriented, and not cochlear implant users, were the most egalitarian.

Perceptions of Health Care and Access to Preventive Services Among Young Adults.

The enactment of the Affordable Care Act increased the emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention by making preventive care accessible for many Americans, especially young adults, who could remain on their parents or legal guardians' health insurance until the age of 26. Yet, many Americans receive only half of the recommended preventive care services, which highlight the need for the improvement of health promotion and prevention services. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship among access to health care insurance, perceptions about health insurance, and use of preventive care services among young adults. Nine hundred and forty-six participants ages 19-34 completed a 40 question web-based survey. Data analysis suggested that while the majority of participants had health insurance, there were significant differences in opinions about the ACA, health insurance, and use of preventive services by gender, education level, and health insurance status. Overall, participants with health insurance were more likely to have received at least three of the basic preventive care services; however, most of them were not getting the preventive care as recommended. Results reaffirm the need for further studies on the impact of health insurance among young adults and the need for the emphasis on health promotion to educate young adults about the importance of disease prevention and preventive services.

The opinion of children and their parents about four different types of dental restorations in a public health service in Brazil.

To investigate the opinion of children and their parents of four different types of restoration placed in primary molars. A mixed method study in which both children and their parents were involved. In the quantitative study, children and parents gave their opinion using a face scale about four different types of restoration immediately after placement, evaluating how satisfied they were. In the qualitative part, children and their parents were interviewed to report their preference among the four types of restoration using dental models and photos. In the quantitative study, 1045 restorations were placed, being conventional restorations (198 with amalgam and 205 with composite resin) and atraumatic interventions [408 with glass ionomer: ART, atraumatic restorative treatment, and 234 with preformed metal crowns (PMCs): Hall technique]. Almost all participants (children and parents) gave a positive opinion (from 94.9 to 100%) on the four types of restoration placed in the children's teeth. There was no statistical significant difference in opinion in terms of acceptance of the four types of restoration placed (Chi square test, p value>0.05). In the qualitative approach, 18 children and 11 parents were interviewed. If they could choose, children (16/18) preferred the PMCs, while parents (10/11) preferred aesthetic materials such as composite resin and glass ionomer cement. A high degree of satisfaction was observed with children and their parents in the four types of restoration after placement. However, if it could be chosen in advance, children prefer the PMCs and parents a tooth-coloured material.

Rural Consumers' Factors of Influence, Place of Influence, and Decision Making Process : An Exclusive Model Based Study

In the recent past, consumers in India have been at a point where there is a multiplicative effect in income growth, aspirations, and changed consumption patterns across income level segments. Therefore, understanding the rural consumer behavior and the process of decision-making has acquired significant attention and there has been a rise in the importance of private corporate big giants as the rural consumers started buying/consuming everything that was meant for the urban market. Keeping these changes in mind, the present paper tried to ascertain whether - there is any significant difference of opinion between the genders regarding the decision making process; the paper intended to find the different factors' (primitive) influence on the rural consumers and the places where these primitive factors influence; and also attempted to gain knowledge regarding the exclusive consumer decision making process of the rural consumer. The study took into account the opinion of 125 respondents from two taluks of Shimoga district, Karnataka. The data were analyzed with the help of SPSS v 20 software. Mean, standard deviation, chi-square, and factor analysis techniques were used to test the hypotheses, and based on the test results, an exclusive model (HSP Model) of rural consumers' factors of influence, place of influence, and decision-making process was developed.

The effect of non-randomized and randomized teams on students’ opinions of team assessment

ObjectiveTo compare the effect of different team formations, non-randomized versus randomized teams, on the students’ opinions of team assessment. MethodsUMES-SOP P1 students (n = 85) completed an online survey regarding summative team assessments (TAs). Students rated their opinions on a Likert scale. Responses were further examined using an independent samples t-test with respect to non-randomized (Cohort NR) and randomized teams (Cohort R). ResultsCohort NR (76%) and Cohort R (78%) completed the survey. Cohort NR (93%) and Cohort R (73%) believed that TA is beneficial overall. Cohort NR and Cohort R believed that the discussion helped to clarify misconceptions. However, there was a significant difference in opinion between the two cohorts regarding the contribution of each member. Cohort NR ranked the benefits of TA as improves individual score > enhances understanding of material > promotes collaboration. Cohort R appeared to value the development of communication and listening skills more than Cohort NR based on average ranking. ConclusionTA offer educational benefits such as enhanced understanding of the material. It can also be a meaningful activity for the development of collaboration skills. The overall TA quality can be improved to further enhance student learning outcomes, both the knowledge and behavioral component.

의료기관의 1급 응급구조사 이미지와 업무에 대한 인식과 방향 - 응급실 내 1급 응급구조사와 간호사를 중심으로 -

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the awareness and direction of paramedics work and image in hospitals. Methods: From April 16 to May 5, 2015, data were collected through structured questionnaires from 45 paramedics and 81 nurses working in emergency medical institutions. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: The work of paramedics is evaluated to be highly worthy at the in-hospital level rather than at the injury first-aid treatment level. It appears that paramedics are often forced to do what their hospitals tell them to do concerning matters related to conflicts with them and nurses. Paramedics stated that they experienced greater mental stress than those engaging in other professions, a finding similar to those of other studies. There was no statistically significant difference in opinions between the two groups about a desirable direction for the development of first-aid services at hospitals. More than two thirds of the respondents said that paramedics should be given the right to enter acting check for patients. Conclusion: Paramedics work is shown to differ in the opinions of paramedics themselves and nurses. Paramedics need for reform is associated with expanding the work of the law.

Open Access Awareness and Perceptions in an Institutional Landscape

The aim of this study was to determine the awareness of open access among the academic staff of a research-oriented Spanish university, their use of the institutional repository and their satisfaction with its services. An anonymous survey of 37 questions was sent to all professors, researchers and doctoral students of the University of Navarra. A total of 352 responses (17%) were received. The responses showed statistically significant differences in opinions concerning open access journals and services created on top of the repository. Although there was general agreement on the need for open access, half the respondents adopted open access practices (which included the use of the institutional repository, and other pages and academic platforms). This percentage increased with the older respondents, who were also senior members of staff with tenure and positions of authority at the university. The decision to make publications accessible in open access depends on academic reward and on professional recognition. The services offered by the repository were generally perceived positively, with differences according to the age and subject area of the respondents. The awareness of those differences might help the university library to provide faculty with training and products that suit to their needs and habits.

Análisis de la satisfacción de los estudiantes del grado de Pedagogía de la Universitat de València

Las universidades realizan estudios sobre la satisfacción de sus estudiantes pues permite analizar la calidad de estas instituciones e inferir características importantes del funcionamiento de los planes de estudios que imparten. Los objetivos de esta investigación son: conocer la satisfacción de los estudiantes implicados en el plan de estudios del grado en Pedagogía e identificar si existen diferencias significativas de opinión entre los diferentes cursos. Se realiza un estudio de encuesta descriptivo – exploratorio apoyado en un análisis de varianza, Anova, post-hoc. La población la constituyen los estudiantes de primero, segundo, tercero y cuarto curso de Pedagogía de la Universitat de Valéncia. Los resultados muestran que los estudiantes encuestados tienen un grado de satisfacción positivo con la titulación, sin embargo se muestran más críticos cuando realizan una valoración general del plan y con la relación que se establece entre lo cursado y su aplicabilidad en el ámbito laboral. Por otro lado, se constatan diferencias entre cursos, observándose que primero es el más crítico respecto a las guías docentes y la organización del plan, mientras que tercero lo es más respecto a la relación entre ámbito profesional y académico. En conclusión, se deberían de efectuar cambios y mejoras en la titulación afín de atender a las demandas detectadas por el alumnado en este estudio, sobre todo relacionadas con aportar mayor información y conocimientos sobre las salidas profesionales de la misma.

Recognition of Core Elements of Medical Professionalism among Medical Students and Faculty Members.

Medical students and future physicians have chosen to pursue a profession that requires personal integrity, compassion and a constant awareness of the commitment made by them. Professionalism includes personal behaviors, knowledge, and competency. It includes the attitudes and values one holds and that run through the profession as a whole. Medical students learn professionalism during the course by either direct teaching or experiential learning. We conducted this study to estimate the self-reported level of practice of the core elements of professionalism by medical students and medical faculty and compared the two groups. One-hundred and nine students and 83 faculty members of Oman Medical College completed a professionalism questionnaire. The survey questions related to core elements of professionalism and were grouped under professional knowledge, professional skills, professional attitude, and qualities essential for professionalism. The response rate was 65.6% (109 of 166) among students and 75.5% (83 of 110) from faculty members. Response to the questions on professional skills between the student and faculty group was significantly different (p < 0.001). Similarly, there was a significant difference in the responses related to professional attitude between the student and faculty group (p < 0.001). Students and faculty members have a significant difference in opinion regarding up to date knowledge of basic and clinical sciences and clinical competency (p = 0.024). Similarly, significant differences in opinion regarding up to date knowledge of basic and clinical sciences and clinical competency in clinical and basic sciences faculty members (p = 0.001). Students identified good communication skills (82.6%), and faculty staff identified up to date professional knowledge (62.7%) as the most important aspect of professionalism. Both students and teaching faculty agreed that the top most professional elements are up to date knowledge, good communication skills, and teamwork. Hence, it is important that faculty members encourage their students to improve their professional skills and attitude.

Disclosure of Financial Statements: A Study on Mobile Telecommunication Companies in Bangladesh

Accounting information produced by AIS through preparing the different financial statements of the selected mobile telecommunication companies is used to meet the needs of interested stakeholders for taking effective decision to serve the different purpose. The selected mobile telecommunication companies follow the provision of IASs/BASs and IFRSs/BFRSs for preparing and presenting the different financial statements. The selected mobile telecommunication companies also follow the Companies Act, 1994, the Securities and Exchange Rules 1987 and other applicable laws in Bangladesh. Accounting Information Systems of the selected mobile telecommunication companies collects stores and disseminates data for the purpose of providing meaningful information to the interested users that assist planning, controlling, coordinating, analyzing and taking effective decision. The general purpose of preparing the different financial statements of the selected mobile telecommunication companies is to provide accounting information to the interested users for taking every effective decision making process. Accurate judgments are impossible unless financial statements are clear and understandable by the interested parties. The study focuses the extent of disclosure scores of the income statement and balance sheet items of the selected mobile telecommunication companies over five years from 2008 to 2012. The results show that the average disclosure scores of income statement and balance sheet items are satisfactory and there is significant difference in disclosure scores of income statement and balance sheet items of the selected mobile telecommunication companies during the period under study. The results also show that most of the respondents reveal that the accounting information produced by AIS of the selected mobile telecommunication companies is moderately adequate and informative and there was significant and non significant difference of opinions among the respondents regarding the adequacy and informativeness of accounting information produced by AIS of the selected mobile telecommunication companies.&#x0D; JEL Classifications Code: M41, F38

Training in Laparoscopic Gastric Cancer Surgery in the Western World: Current Educational Practices, Challenges, and Potential Opportunities at a Large University Centre

The purpose of this study was to explore and understand how surgeons distribute tasks during a laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer in an academic teaching environment. An anonymous, cross-sectional, census survey was used to poll trainees' and staff members' opinions pertaining to laparoscopic gastrectomy. Academic and community tertiary teaching hospitals, affiliated with the University of Toronto. All surgeons, within the Department of General Surgery at the University of Toronto, who practice laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer, were invited to participate. All general surgery residents, postgraduate year 1-5, minimally invasive surgery and surgical oncology fellows at the University of Toronto were invited to participate. Overall response rate was 74.35% (n = 87/117). The results suggested that trainees do not routinely perform the major operative steps. Trainees agreed with faculty in this regard; however, there was a statistically significant difference in opinions, related to the degree of the perceived active operating of the trainees. There was also a difference in opinion, between trainees and faculty, regarding the common reasons for takeover. The present survey highlights that current level of active exposure of surgical trainees to laparoscopic gastric surgery might be insufficient. A lack of role clarity may further hinder an optimal educational experience during these cases. Adopting a stepwise approach, with task deconstruction, could optimize training. Additional training modalities may be required to ensure technical proficiency is acquired before independent practice.

AN EXAMINATION OF VOCATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS TOWARD MOBILE LEARNING

Mobile learning means all kinds of learning or learning activities happening through mobile technologies such as desktop computer or laptop, tablet, internet and smart phone. The aim of this research is to determine the opinions of vocational school students about mobile learning by considering some demographic variables. The sample of the research constitutes 803 students studying at Cukurova University of Vocational School of Adana in 2015-2016 school years. General screening model and mixed model was used in the research. Such results have been reached in the research that the desired and current information can be reached to mobile devices, and productivity will be increased in the class including mobile devices, mobile devices will be effective on providing self-control, and forget fullness will be reducedin learning with mobile devices. Moreover, such results have been reached in the research that there is no a significant difference of opinions about mobile learning between the students in the 1st grade and the students in the 2nd grade depending on grade level variable, and female students have stronger views and more heightened perceptions regarding mobile learning than male students depending on gender variable.

Study on Communication Barriers in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Perspective

The present study is undertaken with the objective to analyse the opinion of secondary school teachers regarding barriers in classroom communication. It is evident from the result of the analysis that barriers existmore, or less, though there is significant difference in opinion among the teachers regarding various dimensions of communication. The majority of the teachers opined that barriers were not due to the source of communication (teacher) but the problem lies with the other elements of the process: the classroom environment, the curriculum and the students.

Knowledge and attitudes of dentists toward shortened dental arch therapy in Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this study was to assess and compare the knowledge and attitudes of dentists toward shortened dental arch (SDA) therapy in Saudi Arabia. In this cross-sectional study, self-designed-structured questionnaires were distributed among specialists (SP), residents (RES), and general dental practitioners (GDP) in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire enquired about dentists' opinion regarding function, esthetic, and comfort in patients with SDA. It also enquired about the risks associated with SDA treatment (tooth wear, temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), and tooth migration). Participants also graded SDA decision-making factors for their significance. Frequency distribution and Chi-square test were performed to compare the responses. A total of 300 questionnaires were completed. 53.9% of SP applied SDA therapy in <10% of patients. However, 54.8% of RES and 46.6% of GDP never used SDA therapy. SDA was considered by dentists to provide a satisfactory or acceptable function (76.4%), esthetics (76.1%), and comfort (76.8%). There was a significant difference in opinions of SP, GDP, and RES, in relation to the effect of SDA on esthetics (P = 0.039), tooth-wear (P < 0.001), TMD (P < 0.001), and tooth migration (P = 0.002). The knowledge of SP and GDP with regards to SDA therapy was broadly in line with current standards. Less than 10% of patients had objections towards SDA therapy. SDA therapy was clinically applied in fewer than 10% of cases.