A study on knowledge and attitude toward the elderly in dental personnels - in Daejeon & Chungnam area -

치과종사자들의 노인에 대한 지식과 태도 연구 - 대전·충남지역을 중심으로 -

This study was surveyed the knowledge and attitude toward the elderly in dental personnels, who play an important role in oral health of the elderly in the aging society, In order to arrange the basic data that is conducive to development in the mouth care of the elderly, the research was conducted from January 7 to February 14, 2008, targeting 270 dental personnels in Daejeon & Chungnam area, who are in charge of oral duties in the current clinic. As a result of analyzing so that questionnaire can be prepared with the self-administered questionnaire, the following results were obtained 1. The knowledge level on the elderly in dental hygienist was 13.47 marks out of 25-mark perfection. There was no difference in knowledge depending on job category and volunteer-work activity experience, And, there was no difference even depending on physical & physiological sphere, psychological sphere, and family & social sphere. 2. The attitude level toward the elderly in dental hygienist was 91.63 marks out of 150-mark perfection. Dental hygienist showed positive attitude in personality characteristic, emotional characteristic, and self-management ability by sphere, and showed statistically significant difference (p=0.011). 3. In case of having volunteer-work activity experience, the attitude level toward the elderly was 92.57 marks out of 150-mark perfection, A case of having volunteer-work activity experience showed positive tendency in emotional characteristic, self-management ability, and judgement-ability characteristic by sphere, And, the attitude toward family relation was indicated to be negative tendency, thus there was statistical significance(p=0.022). 4. As for the correlation between knowledge and attitude toward the elderly, dental hygienist was indicated to have high interest in the volunteer-work experience, the elderly education experience, and the elderly problem(r=0. 444). The knowledge and attitude toward the elderly had slightly positive correlation(r=0.155). Dental hygienists are being required gradually as the primary staff for the elderly people's dental care in the aging society. A continuous education is needed so that dental hygienists can have positive sight in understanding, knowledge, and attitude. And, the development in a mouth care program for the elderly in line with it is considered to be necessary.