Dental students' perceived barriers in geriatric dental care active involvement.

OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed dental students' perceived barriers to geriatric dental care provision.

METHODS: Out of 512 dental students in Iranian dental schools were participated in the study 464 were completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the dental students was 25.5 ± 2.8 years; 67% were women.

RESULTS: Most of the participants (79%) did not have any training focused on geriatric dental care, and the vast majority (more than 83%) had no experience with geriatric dental care. The primary barriers to provide dental care to the elderly that dental student mentioned included insufficient knowledge of geriatric dental care and perceived lack of communication skills and self-confidence in managing elderly patients.

CONCLUSION: Increased emphasis on geriatric dental education in the undergraduate dental curriculums needed to minimize the barriers and improving dental students' willingness to serve older people.