Oral Health Service Delivery and Disease Burden in Community‐Based Rehabilitation Centers: A Mixed‐Methods Study in Selangor, Malaysia

Aim This study investigated the level of oral health (OH) training among CBR workers, existing OH programs and protocols, barriers and enablers to OH service provision, worker's OH knowledge and attitudes, and OH status of CBR trainees. Methods A mixed‐methods design was used. Qualitative interviews were conducted with CBR managers. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire administered to workers assessing OH knowledge and attitudes, and clinical oral examinations of trainees were conducted. Thematic analysis and SPSS were used for qualitative and quantitative analyses. Results No formal OH policies, protocols, or structured training programs were reported. Qualitative findings identified trainee‐related limitations, dental fear, and inadequate parental awareness as major barriers to OH care, whereas parental, professional, and institutional support emerged as important enablers. Workers demonstrated good OH knowledge, while most reported neutral attitudes towards OH promotion. Clinical examinations revealed moderate caries prevalence among trainees with mixed (80.6%) and permanent dentitions (89.8%). Oral hygiene status was fair among trainees with mixed and permanent dentition (89.8%). In contrast, trainees with primary dentition showed lower caries prevalence (44.4%) and good oral hygiene status (96.2%). Conclusions Standardized OH training, clear practice protocols, and sustained institutional support are needed to improve OH outcomes among trainees.