Reasons for and Barriers to Attending Continuing Education Activities and Priorities for Different Dental Specialties

BACKGROUND: Continuing education (CE) activities help dentists update their knowledge and skills to ensure high standards of patient care. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the reasons for and barriers to attending CE activities including the priorities for different dental specialities. METHODS: The study involves a cross-sectional research design. After statistical consultation, a questionnaire was distributed among 323 dental practitioners in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was checked for face and content validity, and it was pilot-tested before its administration. RESULTS: The response rate was 79.5% as 257 of 323 dentists returned the questionnaire. Most dentists reported that they attended CE activities because of personal learning needs (67.3%) and career development (66.9%). Lack of clinical experience to effectively manage patients and the practice was the least common (15.2%) reason for attending CE activities. Esthetic dentistry (77.4%), restorative dentistry (70.8%), and endodontics (70%) were the three most preferred dental specialities for CE activities. Lack of time was the most common (69.3%) barrier to attending CE activities followed by the cost (62.6%) and the distance (57.2%). More male (n = 104) than female (n = 69) dentists believed personal learning needs a reason for attending CE activities (P = 0.01). Similarly, more male (n = 104) than female dentists (n = 68) considered lack of time a barrier (P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Most dentists attended CE activities to fulfil their personal learning needs, and aesthetic dentistry was the most preferred dental speciality for CE activities. Lack of time and cost were important barriers to attending CE activities.