De Visschere L, Van Der Putten G-J, de Baat C, Schols J, Vanobbergen J
Community Dentistry and Oral Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Eur J Dent Educ. 2009 Aug;13(3):154-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2008.00555.x.
The aim of the study was to assess the impact of undergraduate geriatric dentistry education on knowledge of ageing and on attitudes towards institutionalised elderly people, as perceived by recently graduated dentists.
A validated questionnaire was sent by mail to all dentists of the study group (n = 357). The questionnaire collected socio-demographic data, motives for pursuing a dental career, knowledge of ageing, attitude towards institutionalised elderly people using the Aging Semantic Differential (ASD), and aspects of geriatric dentistry education.
Great variability between the six dental schools involved was observed in respect of the undergraduate education received in geriatric dentistry. Dentists' knowledge of ageing was also low. The mean value of ASD-total indicated that in this study there was a negative attitude towards the institutionalised elderly. The covariate 'financial motive for pursuing a dental career' was the only item that seemed to have any significant influence on the ASD. Age was the only significant variable for knowledge. All other covariates were found not to have any influence.
From this study it would appear that the attitude of recently graduated dentists in Belgium towards the institutionalised elderly is rather negative and their knowledge of ageing is poor. The actual level of geriatric dentistry education in the undergraduate curriculum did not appear to influence this attitude, but Belgian dental schools are challenged to reorientate their provision of geriatric dentistry education to include activities that help to develop positive perceptions towards the elderly, with an empathic positive and caring attitude.
本研究旨在评估本科老年牙科学教育对刚毕业牙医所认知的衰老知识及对机构养老老年人态度的影响。
通过邮件向研究组的所有牙医（n = 357）发送一份经过验证的问卷。该问卷收集社会人口统计学数据、从事牙科职业的动机、衰老知识、使用衰老语义差异量表（ASD）对机构养老老年人的态度以及老年牙科学教育的相关方面。
在所涉及的六所牙科学院中，老年牙科学本科教育存在很大差异。牙医的衰老知识水平也较低。ASD总分的平均值表明，在本研究中对机构养老老年人存在消极态度。“从事牙科职业的经济动机”这一协变量似乎是对ASD有显著影响的唯一因素。年龄是影响知识水平的唯一显著变量。发现所有其他协变量均无影响。
从本研究来看，比利时刚毕业的牙医对机构养老老年人的态度相当消极，且他们的衰老知识较差。本科课程中老年牙科学教育的实际水平似乎并未影响这种态度，但比利时牙科学院面临挑战，需要重新调整其老年牙科学教育的内容，纳入有助于培养对老年人积极认知、富有同理心且积极关怀态度的活动。
