A review of medical conditions of patients attending dental clinics in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT This review aimed to identify the most common medical conditions of patients attending dental clinics in Saudi Arabia by conducting a comprehensive search of electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Wiley Online Library with the keywords: “dental,” “patient,” “Saudi Arabia,” “hypertension,” “diabetes mellitus,” and “pregnancy.” The authors independently evaluated the articles that reported the prevalence of medical conditions in any region or city within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia published in English up to June 2024. The six studies that met the inclusion criteria were conducted across various regions in Saudi Arabia including Asir, Riyadh, and Al-Qassim in dental schools and primary care clinics to dental hospitals and periodontal clinics. The retrospective and cross-sectional studies ranged in duration from 6 months to several years and involved 312 to 7051 participants aged from 18 to 77 years. The most common medical conditions reported among dental patients in Saudi Arabia were endocrine (diabetic), followed by cardiovascular, respiratory, and hematologic conditions. The study findings provide the basis to enhance our understanding of the current situation or status of dental patients in Saudi Arabia until the prevalence of medical conditions has been ascertained by a national survey. They also underscore the importance of integrating medical screening and interdisciplinary training into dental education and practice to ensure safe and effective patient care.