Relationship between attitude toward persons with dementia and knowledge of dementia in Taiwanese dental hygiene students: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose: In an aging society, fostering an appropriate attitude toward persons with dementia and knowledge of dementia is important for dental hygiene students. This study aimed to investigate the factors related to the attitude and the knowledge. Subjects and Methods: Between May and June 2019, 227 students of two universities in Taiwan were surveyed. We developed the Taiwanese versions of the dementia attitude, knowledge, and ageism scales from Japanese versions. Data related to an association with persons with dementia and older adults were also collected. Results: Data from 186 students were used in the analysis. Scores of the attitude and ageism scales were significantly correlated; however, scores of the knowledge assessment scale were not correlated with those of the other two scales. Interest in dementia was associated with positive attitude, and association of persons with dementia with higher knowledge. Desire to work with patients with dementia was associated with positive attitude and lower ageism, but not knowledge. Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed ageism was correlated with attitude (1 odds ratio: 1.12, confidence interval 1.07–1.18, P < 0.001. Conclusions: The attitude toward persons with dementia was associated with ageism, but not knowledge in Taiwan dental hygiene students. As the study year increased, the attitude was more negative.