Can extramural training in nursing homes affect the dental students’ perceptions towards the older patients?

Background and aim: The role of educational methodology and content in improving the dental students’ attitudes towards the older persons has not been extensively investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether extramural training in nursing homes may affect the dental students’ perceptions towards the older patients using the recently validated in Greek Ageism Scale for Dental Students (ASDS_Gr) . Methods: The ADSD_Gr scale consisting of 15 items, with six responding options per item, was electronically and anonymously completed by senior dental students attending the 10th semester of studies at the NKUA School of Dentistry. All students had attended a compulsory gerodontology course at the 8th semester and had clinical experience in treating older patients at the School’s clinics. During their studies they had the option to voluntary participate in nursing home training including interviews, clinical examination and dental treatment planning for the residents. Demographic characteristics, history of living with older people and participation in extramural training in nursing homes were recorded. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses. Results: Fifty-two senior students (13 men, 39 women) with a mean age of 23.4 ± 1.4 years participated in the electronic survey. A total of 88.5% originated from an urban area, 86.5% had older persons in their family, while 46.2% currently lived or had lived with older people. Half of the students had participated in the nursing homes training. Statistical analysΙs did not reveal any significant differences in the total ageism score between the students who participated in the nursing homes training (n=26, 49.5 ± 5.6) and those who did not (n=26, 51.2 ± 7.0) (Student’s T-test, P=0.315). Moreover, no statistically significant associations were recorded in relation to sex, age, family residence, having older persons in the family and history of living with older adults (P>0.05). Conclusions: Under the limitations of the present investigation extramural training in nursing homes did not significantly affect the dental students’ perceptions towards older patients. More studies are necessary to identify the educational interventions that may have a positive impact on the ageist attitudes.