Eylül BİLKENT, Ayça KURT
The Turkish Journal of Ear Nose and Throat - 2026;36(2):73-80
Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of dentists in Türkiye regarding oral health management in patients with dysphagia and explore the extent of their multidisciplinary collaboration and perceived professional responsibilities. Material and Methods: A survey was conducted among 110 dentists across Türkiye. The survey included demographic questions and items evaluating dentists' experience, awareness of oral health risks related to dysphagia, collaboration with other professionals, including speech-language pathologists, and their perceived roles in managing oral health in patients with dysphagia. Descriptive statistics summarized the responses, and inferential analyses using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests examined associations between workplace and professional experience, on the one hand, and awareness and knowledge levels, on the other. Result: The findings indicate that dentists in Türkiye generally recognize the importance of oral health in relation to dysphagia, but report limited practical engagement in managing oral care for these patients. Multidisciplinary collaboration appears minimal. No significant differences in knowledge or awareness were observed based on dentists' workplace settings or years of professional experience, suggesting that these patterns are broadly consistent across the sample. Conclusion: This study reveals notable gaps between dentists' awareness of oral health risks in dysphagia and their clinical practices, as well as a pronounced lack of interdisciplinary collaboration in Türkiye.
