KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF DENTISTS TOWARD PROVIDING CARE TO THE GERIATRIC PATIENTS IN TAMIL NADU – A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY.

Abstract

Introduction:Worldwide,there have been rapid changes in the demographics,including an increase in the number of old people. The number of elderly adults is predicted to quadruple by 2050 and reach two billion individuals at the current trend.The study aims to find out the perception of dentist towards geriatric dentistry. Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Adhiparasakthi dental college and hospital. The total sample size was estimated around 240 samples and a self-administered questionnaire was sent online survey. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: A total of 231 completed questionnaires (response rate = 88%) were obtained.Mean of age was 34.4 ± 8.1 (23–71 years) and 62.8% (n = 145) were female.The percentage of the patients in different age groups visited by the dentists during the past month showed that the most frequent age group was the 18–40 year group (40%).A significant correlation was observed between their practice and attitude.Availability of equipment for the ease of access revealed that 54% of dental offices/clinics had adequate lifts. Only about 20% of them had ramps and wall hangings and almost 24% had good flooring.Conclusion:The dentists in our study exhibited a modest level of expertise and skill in treating the dental issues of elderly patients. A major of them, were sympathetic towards the elderly. Therefore, dental education policy makers should prioritise developing geriatric education in dental institutions,particularly clinical education