Research and Workforce Development among Oral Health Providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Dental research plays a crucial role in advancing oral health by generating new insights and spreading established knowledge to benefit those in need. This study aimed to quantify participation in dental research-related activities reported by oral healthcare providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and to investigate its association with socio-demographic and professional characteristics, as well as practitioners’ perceptions of the Research and Development (R&D) index.

The study conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 243 oral health providers in Saudi Arabia, comprising 153 (63%) dentists and 90 (37%) dental hygienists and assistants who work in all regions and sectors in KSA. The survey, distributed via social media and email from November 2023 to January 2024, was based on a pre-validated R&D cultural index questionnaire aimed at capturing the R&D engagement among oral health providers. Analytical methods included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, t-tests, and multiple regression analyses conducted using SPSS to pinpoint significant predictors of research participation, thereby offering a detailed exploration of factors influencing dental research involvement across the kingdom.

Key findings show that oral health providers (B = 0.203, SE = 0.015, p = 0.020) and individuals with a stronger inclination towards research (B = 0.122, SE = 0.017, p = 0.010) are more likely to participate in research activities. Findings show age (p = 0.013), sector (p = 0.017), nationality (p = 0.005), income (p < 0.001), work location (p = 0.05), and education (p = 0.026) significantly influence R&D engagement. In contrast, gender (p = 0.050), direct patient contact, and patient volume have minimal impact. Notably, dentists (p = 0.040), clinical directors, and experienced professionals (p = 0.017) show higher R&D involvement.

The study highlighted the essential role of specialized educational and training programs focused on enhancing research skills and their practical application. Such initiatives are vital for improving the involvement of oral health professionals in research within Saudi Arabian oral health providers.