Knowledge on clinical assessment methods for using phonetics in removable prostheses among dentists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Phonetics is a crucial part of prostheses fabrication and it plays an important role in personal and social development. This underscores the importance of understanding how various factors, including dental interventions, can influence speech quality and intelligibility. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the knowledge and clinical assessment techniques of dental students, interns and dentists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to ensure their ability to deliver dental prostheses that allow clear speech. A survey questionnaire was sent to 1300 dental students and clinicians, with a response rate of 93.3% from 1213 responses collected. The questionnaire included twenty questions to assess general knowledge about phonetics in the construction of removable dentures and clinical techniques used in evaluating speech with trial dentures. The majority of participants were 5th-year dental students, followed by dental interns, general dentists, postgraduate residents, and specialists. Half of the participants, 51% of the participants, had less than one year of experience. The study found that dentists with more than five years of clinical experience have better knowledge of clinical assessment methods used to evaluate phonetics. The lowest scores were submitted by 5th-year dental students. Dentists who had the most clinical experience of 5 years or more had better knowledge and clinical assessment skills, while other dentists had the knowledge but lacked the experience. Despite phonetics being taught in dental curricula, students are unable to connect this knowledge to clinical settings. For this reason, a checklist will be made available and shared among various institutions to facilitate clinical application, improve the standard of dental prostheses provided to patients and raise patient satisfaction and quality of life.