Swiss Dental Hygienists' Attitudes on Treating Elderly Patients.

Objective: This survey evaluated the attitudes of Swiss dental hygienists toward treating elderly patients and their opinions on the geriatric curriculum in their educational programs.

Methods and results: Qualified dental hygienists working in private practices (PP) and dental hygiene students (DHS) were recruited. The Geriatric Attitude Scale (GAS-14) questionnaire and an additional questionnaire on the geriatric curriculum were used. Demographic information including age, sex, nationality, religion, marital-, and accommodation-status was collected. Three hundred and five hygienists (PP: n = 148, mean-age: 43.7 ± 11.9 years; DHS: n = 157, mean-age: 25.4 ± 4.6 years) participated. The overall mean GAS-14 scores were significantly different (p = 0.008) between PP (3.48 ± 0.36) and DHS (3.61 ± 0.42). GAS-14 scores were not correlated to demographic parameters. DHS valued the geriatric curriculum more (p = 0.002) and rated their training higher (p = 0.001). PP lacked confidence in treating elderly patients alone (p < 0.001). DHS wanted more hands-on training (p < 0.001). PP preferred hospital- (p < 0.001) or nursing home- (p = 0.039) treatment settings, DHS preferred mobile clinics (p = 0.028) for treating immobile elders.

Conclusions: Swiss dental hygienist students and hygienists in private practice exhibit a favorable attitude toward treating elderly patients, with students showing a slightly more positive perspective. The results underscore the need for continuing education programs and hands-on workshops in geriatric dentistry to boost the practitioners' confidence and attitudes.