Attitudes of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students Toward Geriatric Patients

Sevgi Öğüt; Emine Ararat

doi:10.7126/cumudj.1847558

EN TR

Attitudes of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students Toward Geriatric Patients

Abstract

Objectives The increase in the geriatric patient population makes developing appropriate attitudes and competencies in this field critical for dental education. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate and postgraduate dental students about geriatric patients, compare these variables across educational levels, and provide recommendations for future educational policies. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study, a two-part questionnaire was administered to undergraduate (n=215) and postgraduate (n=200) dental students. The first section covered demographics, while the second assessed views on geriatric treatment, curriculum, and the need for specialized education. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, Fisher’s exact, Student’s t, and Mann–Whitney U tests (p<0.05). Results A total of 415 dental students participated in the study, with a mean age of 25.34 (± 3.05) years. Most participants agreed on the need to be more sympathetic and careful when treating geriatric patients. Similarly, high levels of agreement were observed with statements regarding treatment needs, differences in communication, and the adjustment/adaptation process. Significant differences were found between undergraduate and postgraduate students in terms of self-confidence in treating geriatric patients, length of appointment time for procedures, and need for geriatric education, with postgraduate students showing higher levels of engagement in these areas. Conclusion Postgraduate students showed higher engagement with the practical requirements of geriatric care compared to undergraduate students; findings point to the need to strengthen structured geriatric education at the undergraduate stage.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University on 03.03.2025, under protocol number 2025/08.

Lisans ve Lisansüstü Diş Hekimliği Öğrencilerinin Yaşlı Hastalara Yönelik Tutumları

Abstract

Amaç Geriatrik hasta popülasyonundaki artış, bu alanda uygun tutum ve yeterliliklerin geliştirilmesini diş hekimliği eğitimi için kritik hale getirmektedir. Bu çalışma, lisans ve lisansüstü diş hekimliği öğrencilerinin geriatrik hastalara yönelik bilgi ve tutumlarını değerlendirmeyi, bu parametreleri farklı eğitim seviyeleri arasında karşılaştırmayı ve gelecekteki eğitim politikaları için öneriler sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntemler Bu kesitsel çalışmada, lisans (n=215) ve lisansüstü (n=200) diş hekimliği öğrencilerine iki bölümlü bir anket uygulanmıştır. İlk bölüm demografik özellikleri kapsarken, ikinci bölüm geriatrik tedavi, müfredat ve özel eğitime duyulan ihtiyaç hakkındaki görüşleri değerlendirmiştir. Veriler, tanımlayıcı istatistikler, ki-kare, Fisher kesinliği, Student t ve Mann-Whitney U testleri (p<0,05) kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular Çalışmaya ortalama yaşları 25,34 (± 3,05) olan toplam 415 diş hekimliği öğrencisi katılmıştır. Katılımcıların çoğu, geriatrik hastaların tedavisinde daha anlayışlı ve dikkatli olunması gerektiği konusunda hemfikirdir. Benzer şekilde, tedavi ihtiyaçları, iletişimdeki farklılıklar ve uyum/adaptasyon süreciyle ilgili ifadelere yüksek düzeyde katılım gözlenmiştir. Lisans ve lisansüstü öğrencileri arasında, geriatrik hastaların tedavisindeki öz güven, işlemler için randevu süresi ve geriatri eğitimine duyulan ihtiyaç açısından anlamlı farklılıklar bulunmuş ve lisansüstü öğrencileri bu alanlarda daha yüksek düzeyde katılım göstermiştir. Sonuç Lisansüstü öğrencileri, lisans öğrencilerine kıyasla geriatrik bakımın pratik gerekliliklerine daha fazla katılım göstermiştir; bulgular, lisans düzeyinde yapılandırılmış geriatri eğitiminin güçlendirilmesi gerektiğine işaret etmektedir.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Çalışma, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Klinik Araştırma Etik Kurulu tarafından 03.03.2025 tarihinde 2025/08 protokol numarasıyla onaylanmıştır.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Special Needs Dentistry

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Sevgi Öğüt ^*
0000-0002-6785-3089
Türkiye

Emine Ararat
0000-0002-2383-373X
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 1, 2026

Submission Date

December 23, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 29 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1847558

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA28DP98CL

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Öğüt, S., & Ararat, E. (2026). Attitudes of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students Toward Geriatric Patients. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal, 29(2), 309-315. https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1847558

AMA

1.Öğüt S, Ararat E. Attitudes of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students Toward Geriatric Patients. Cumhuriyet Dent J. 2026;29(2):309-315. doi:10.7126/cumudj.1847558

Chicago

Öğüt, Sevgi, and Emine Ararat. 2026. “Attitudes of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students Toward Geriatric Patients”. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 29 (2): 309-15. https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1847558.

EndNote

Öğüt S, Ararat E (July 1, 2026) Attitudes of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students Toward Geriatric Patients. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 29 2 309–315.

IEEE

[1]S. Öğüt and E. Ararat, “Attitudes of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students Toward Geriatric Patients”, Cumhuriyet Dent J, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 309–315, July 2026, doi: 10.7126/cumudj.1847558.

ISNAD

Öğüt, Sevgi - Ararat, Emine. “Attitudes of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students Toward Geriatric Patients”. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 29/2 (July 1, 2026): 309-315. https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1847558.

JAMA

1.Öğüt S, Ararat E. Attitudes of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students Toward Geriatric Patients. Cumhuriyet Dent J. 2026;29:309–315.

MLA

Öğüt, Sevgi, and Emine Ararat. “Attitudes of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students Toward Geriatric Patients”. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal, vol. 29, no. 2, July 2026, pp. 309-15, doi:10.7126/cumudj.1847558.

Vancouver

1.Sevgi Öğüt, Emine Ararat. Attitudes of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dental Students Toward Geriatric Patients. Cumhuriyet Dent J. 2026 Jul. 1;29(2):309-15. doi:10.7126/cumudj.1847558