DentistKnowledge and Attitude about Geriatric's Dentistry in 53rd Iranian Dental Association Congress(IDA)

Considering the structural and physiological difference between an aged patient and young people in the mouth and teeth areas and the growing increase of the aged population in our country and acceleration of the reference of these patients to the dentistry clinics, having sufficient information to make a proper handling and present a suitable treatment for these patients is necessary.This study has conducted to take attention about this information gap.
This research was conducted in cross sectional method on 400 samples of the dentists who participated in the 53rd International Congress of Iranian Dental Association(IDA). The method of sampling was in form of constant proceeding . In order to collect data, the method of completion of questionnaire in the presence of project administrator was used. The questionnaire included three sections: Questions related to the individual characteristics 10 questions, dentists’ knowledge 10 questions, dentists’attitudes 11 sentences which were in multiple choice form .Then the rate of knowledge and attitude in the samples were determined,The maximum score of knowledge was 10 and the minimum was 0. The score scale of each attitude question was determined between 0-3. The maximum score of attitude was 33 and the minimum score was 0 and the role of individual factors in connection with the rate of knowledge and attitude was studied and analyzed by using the Regression tests.
Of the numbers 400 dentists participating, 48/7 % were women and 51/3% were men ,and their age was (32/ 6±2/4)year. Based on the average of knowledge the score obtained from the research is (2/71±1/8), 88/5% had a weak knowledge, 11/5% had an average knowledge and therefore, unfortunately, they did not have a good knowledge. Based on the average score of attitude obtained from the research is (22/3±3/4),39/7% had a positive attitude, 58% had a relatively positive attitude ,the whole positive number was 97/8%,and 2/2% had a negative attitude. According to the results, there was no significant relationship between the related factors and the rate of dentist`s knowledge and attitudes.
As the dentists’ knowledge of geriatrics dentistry is weak ,it is an important hints. On the other hand, the dentists’ attitude of geriatrics dentistry is relatively positive, so the design and inclusion of course unit credits and implementing constant and suitable educational courses in student period and also holding retraining and conferences on geriatrics dentistry after graduation are all very effective in promoting the scientific level of dentists towards geriatrics dentistry.