Nurses’, Dental Assistants’, And Diagnostic Radiology Professionals’ Perceptions, Knowledge, And Practices Toward Oral Health, Post-Heart Transplant, And Diabetes Care Among Older Adults In Residential And Clinical Settings

Abstract

Background:
Integrated healthcare for older adults with chronic and systemic conditions such as diabetes and post-heart transplant complications increasingly depends on effective collaboration between nursing, dental, and diagnostic radiology professionals. These disciplines collectively contribute to oral–systemic health, early disease detection, and the prevention of medical complications. Understanding their perceptions, knowledge, and practices is essential to enhance multidisciplinary care quality and patient outcomes.

Objective:
This study aimed to assess and compare the perceptions, knowledge, and practices (KAP) of nurses, dental assistants, and diagnostic radiology professionals regarding oral health, post-heart transplant care, and diabetes management among older adults in residential and clinical settings.

Methods:
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 240 participants (nurses = 120, dental assistants = 80, diagnostic radiology professionals = 40) working in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included four domains: demographic information, knowledge, perception, and clinical practices related to oral-systemic health. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and ANOVA tests using SPSS v.29.

Results:
Overall knowledge scores were moderate (64.2%), with dental assistants scoring highest in oral-systemic understanding (M = 3.9 ± 0.8), nurses excelling in diabetes-related clinical care (M = 3.8 ± 0.7), and radiology professionals demonstrating strong awareness of post-transplant imaging indicators (M = 3.7 ± 0.9).

Positive perceptions toward interprofessional collaboration were reported by 87% of participants. However, practice implementation remained limited (59%) due to inconsistent communication channels and lack of unified oral-systemic care protocols.

Significant correlations were found between knowledge and practice (r = 0.49, p < 0.001) and between interdisciplinary awareness and clinical integration (r = 0.54, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:
The study highlights the interconnected role of nursing, dental assisting, and diagnostic radiology in ensuring holistic care for older adults with chronic conditions. While awareness and collaboration attitudes are high, practical integration remains moderate, emphasizing the need for unified interprofessional training programs, shared health records, and multidisciplinary clinical pathways.
These findings align with Saudi Vision 2030’s Health Transformation Program, reinforcing the importance of multidisciplinary leadership and digital data integration in chronic-disease prevention.