Saudi dental college students’ perceptions on sustainable growth targets and sustainable dental observe
The primary aim of this study was to assess the level of self-perceived knowledge among undergraduate dental students in Saudi Arabia regarding SDGs, their awareness of SDGs, as well as SDP. The present study further aimed to investigate the potential relationship between various demographic factors, including age, gender, level of education, and self-perceived knowledge of the SDGs, awareness of the SDGs, and SDP. In addition, this research study sought to identify potential barriers that may hinder the successful implementation of SDP and identify sources of information and knowledge regarding SDGs. The findings of this research study offer valuable insights into the level of knowledge and awareness among dental students in Saudi Arabia regarding SDGs and SDP.
A total of 841 Saudi dental students participated in this study, which is notably larger in comparison to most of the previous studies conducted on sustainability among dental students globally [15, 16, 18, 20,21,22,23,24]. Even though there are no specific rules for the breakdown of student enrolment in Saudi Arabia, the gender distribution of the participants in this study was predominantly female, aligning with the findings of previous surveys conducted in this field [24]. The emerging pattern of increased female involvement in volunteer activities suggests a potential gender disparity, indicating that female students may exhibit a greater inclination towards engaging in such activities compared to their male counterparts.
The findings of this study support the notion that a significant proportion (59.9%) of students rely on online sources. However, a noteworthy percentage (25.8%) of students exhibited no familiarity with SDGs. In contrast, only a small fraction (10.2%) of students acquired knowledge about SDGs through educational institutions. These findings imply that educational institutions have a crucial role to play in introducing supplementary measures associated with SDGs in academic settings at different levels. This approach can enhance awareness, knowledge, and involvement among a larger population of students regarding SDGs. In a Spanish survey, many university students were unfamiliar with SDGs, and few had learned about them from the internet, universities, and other sources [25]. Another Indonesian academic survey found that 54.5% of university students acquired SDG knowledge online, whereas 62% did not understand them [26].
Based on our findings, the majority of the dental students possessed a moderate level of self- reported knowledge and awareness regarding the SDGs. This finding suggests that Saudi dental students are still lacking in their knowledge and awareness of the UN’s SDGs. Bhambra [4] emphasised the importance of understanding SDGs within dental practices. She suggested dental practices can enhance the growth of dental professionals in a sustainable manner by investing in various initiatives such as continuing education opportunities, mentoring programs, and career advancement pathways. The International Dental Federation also recognizes the importance of the SDGs and emphasizes the integration of these goals into the daily practice of the dental profession, as stated in its public statement [9]. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the integration of the objectives and principles of different SDGs into dental practices and dental education. These studies have shown a strong dedication to incorporating these principles and objectives within the dental field. The acknowledgement of the significance lies in not solely delivering high-quality dental care, but also in tackling wider concerns associated with education, health, environmental sustainability, gender equality, and also social inclusion. This collective effort contributes to the overall progress of the SDGs [15, 27].
Additionally, the study investigated the level of awareness regarding SDP in addition to the awareness of SDGs. The findings revealed that the participants demonstrated an impressive level of awareness when it came to SDP. The study findings were found to be in line with prior research conducted among undergraduate dental students in the United States, which revealed that a significant majority of participants, specifically 83%, exhibited a favourable attitude towards environmental sustainability within the field of dentistry. In a recent Saudi context study conducted by Jamal et al. [21], it was found that a significant proportion of Saudi dental students (73%) and Saudi faculty members (83.6%) lacked awareness regarding environmental sustainability in dentistry. These findings, however, differ from the results obtained in the present study. In a comprehensive review conducted recently by Jalbani et al. [7], the authors reviewed 11 research papers focused on the topic of sustainability in dentistry. The findings of this study revealed that dental practitioners possess a commendable level of knowledge regarding sustainability in dentistry and exhibit positive attitudes towards environmental conservation. However, the implementation of these principles in their day-to-day practice was found to be insufficient.
Nevertheless, when the participants were asked about the barriers interfering with the successful implementation of SDP, a significant majority of 69.1% indicated a lack of information or training as the primary barrier, followed by the cost of implementation (11.4%). A study in the UK and the US showed that dental students expressed significant concern regarding their limited understanding of environmental sustainability within the field of dentistry. This lack of knowledge was identified as a primary barrier influencing their attitudes towards embracing sustainability practices in dentistry [22]. Lack of knowledge was also the prime factor that influenced the adoption of SDP in India [23]. A study involving Portuguese dental practitioners found costs to be a prime barrier, followed by a lack of information and training for the implementation of SDP [16]. Al Shatrat et al. [28] reported similar findings, indicating that costs were identified as a significant barrier to the implementation of SDP in Jordan.
The existing literature as well as the present study reveal that there is a notable presence of positive attitudes towards the adoption of sustainability in the field of dentistry, despite a lack of comprehensive sustainability knowledge among students and educators. The findings suggest a growing need for educational initiatives focused on sustainability. The incorporation of sustainability into dental education can be proposed as a means to establish enhanced legitimacy and facilitate substantial transformation. The integration of sustainable health into learning outcomes is a crucial consideration for policymakers. It is imperative for dental education providers to take on the responsibility of incorporating sustainability principles into all dental curricula.
This study additionally examined potential factors that could be associated with participants’ self-reported knowledge about SDGs and their awareness of both SDGs and SDP. The findings revealed that gender was significantly associated with participants’ self-reported knowledge of SDGs and awareness of SDGs and SDP. On the other hand, the level of education was found to be associated only with participants’ awareness of SDP.
The female dental students demonstrated a superior understanding of the SDGs and displayed a heightened awareness of both the SDGs and the SDP. The present findings align with prior research that has indicated the existence of an ‘eco gender gap’, wherein men tend to exhibit lower levels of commitment towards adopting and maintaining an environmentally friendly lifestyle compared to women. Multiple research studies have reported findings suggesting that women tend to demonstrate a higher inclination towards engaging in eco-friendly behaviours and hold more pronounced environmental values in comparison to men [24, 29].
Furthermore, clinical dental students demonstrated a greater degree of awareness regarding SDP when compared to their pre-clinical counterparts. The observed finding can be attributed to various potential explanations. It is possible that students who actively participate in clinical activities may have a better grasp of the environmental consequences associated with dental practices. For instance, their direct involvement in dental clinics, where substantial amounts of plastic waste are generated and significant quantities of water and electricity are consumed, could contribute to their increased awareness. However, it would be interesting to explore further investigation to determine the extent of the relationship between clinical students and their awareness regarding the selection of equipment and materials, energy-saving and renewable energy, disposal of waste, and biodiversity during their dental practice. In addition, another potential area for future research would involve comparing the responses of students from private and public dental colleges, a facet that was not explored in this study.
Online surveys have become increasingly popular due to their ease, convenience, and cost-effectiveness as a method of collecting data. Nevertheless, there are certain drawbacks to their widespread use. One limitation is the challenge of accurately describing the population being surveyed. Additionally, there is a risk of respondents with biases selectively choosing to participate, which can result in the spread of misinformation. Even so, it is important to recognise the advantages of the online survey since it reassures complete anonymity, allowing respondents to freely share their knowledge and attitudes.
