Changes in General and Dental-Specific Ageism Following Home-Visit Clinical Training With Older Adults: A...

This study investigated whether interaction-focused clinical training with older adults reduces ageist attitudes among dental students, compared to treatment-focused training without interpersonal interaction.

A quasi-experimental, non-randomized, two-arm pre-post intervention study was conducted at two dental universities in Japan. Fifth-year undergraduate students were recruited (n = 120) and analyzed (n = 91). Students participated in either a treatment-focused (treatment group, n = 34) or interaction-focused program involving oral care and recreational activities with older adults (interaction group, n = 57). Ageist attitudes were assessed at baseline and end of intervention using Japanese version of Fraboni Scale of the Ageism (FSA-J) and the Aging Scale for Dental Students (ASDS-J); higher scores indicate greater ageism. A general linear model (GLM) was used to analyze factors related to score changes (educational intervention, adjusting for baseline score, gender, age, and cohabitation experience).

Ninety-one students completed all assessments. FSA-J scores worsened significantly in the treatment group (p = 0.002, Hedges' g = 0.534), while ASDS-J scores improved significantly in the interaction group (p = 0.011, Hedges' g = - 0.313). GLM revealed no main effect of intervention alone, but significant three-way interactions with gender, age, and cohabitation experience were found for ASDS-J changes. Age was the only significant factor associated with FSA-J change. Effect sizes were small across outcomes.

Interaction-focused training may help reduce dental student-specific ageism. However, general ageism appear less responsive to brief interventions. With small effects observed, interaction-focused training offers a modest step toward reducing student-specific ageism; general ageism showed limited short-term change.