Exploring Oral Health Knowledge and Attitudes Among Caregivers Towards the Provision of Oral Health Care for Individuals With Disabilities at Community‐Based Rehabilitation Centres in Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: Caregivers, particularly community-based rehabilitation (CBR) workers, play a crucial role in promoting oral health (OH) care for individuals with disabilities (IWDs). In this study, CBR workers are considered caregivers as they provide direct care and rehabilitation support to IWDs. Their OH knowledge and attitudes influence their ability to implement proper oral hygiene practices and advocate for better OH outcomes. This study aimed to assess the OH knowledge and attitudes of CBR workers in Malaysia, identifying gaps that could inform targeted training programs and policy improvements. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 83 CBR workers employed a validated questionnaire to assess OH knowledge and attitudes towards OH care for IWDs. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise demographic variables, whereas associations between key factors (age, work experience, education level) and OH knowledge and attitudes were analysed using Chi-square tests and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: Most participants were female (89.2%) and of Malay ethnicity, with the largest age group being 31-40 years old (32.5%). Although CBR workers exhibited good OH knowledge, their attitudes towards OH care were neutral. A significant association was found between years of work experience and OH knowledge (p < 0.001). Additionally, Pearson's correlation showed a positive correlation between attitude levels and education level (p = 0.002*). CONCLUSIONS: Although CBR workers demonstrated good OH knowledge, their neutral attitudes highlight the need for enhanced training programs. Developing structured training and comprehensive protocols could improve OH care delivery for IWDs and strengthen caregivers' effectiveness.