Discrepancy between knowledge and confidence levels toward obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude toward obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among pre-doctoral dental faculty and senior dental students to investigate the need for developing a dental sleep medicine curriculum.

METHODS

The OSA Knowledge and Attitude survey was administered to potential participants at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD). Descriptive statistics were performed to compare performances in the OSA knowledge test between the dental student and faculty groups. Correlation tests were conducted to examine relationships between the knowledge scores and attitudes toward OSA.

RESULTS

51 seniors and 30 faculty members participated in this study. The mean total score in the knowledge test was 12 out of 18 (67%); there was no significant difference in the mean score between the two groups. Both groups perceived that OSA and identifying patients with OSA were very important or important. While most participants reported that they were not confident in managing OSA or patients on continuous positive airway pressure, negative correlations between the knowledge scores and confidence in managing OSA (rs = -0.3, p = 0.012) and the importance of OSA (rs = -0.3, p = 0.004) were observed.

CONCLUSION

Pre-doctoral faculty and seniors at UMSOD exhibited low levels of knowledge and confidence in managing OSA patients, yet both groups recognized the importance of OSA and identifying affected patients. These findings highlight the need for integrating an OSA course into the curriculum and for enhancing faculty training in sleep medicine.