Public Health

Area of Science:

• Oral health and systemic conditions
• Dementia care in dentistry
• Healthcare professional education

Background:

• Dentists are uniquely positioned to identify systemic conditions like dementia through oral health changes.
• An aging population in Scotland increases dementia prevalence, necessitating better dental care preparedness.
• Limited research exists on dental professionals' attitudes and knowledge regarding dementia care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the baseline attitudes and knowledge of Scottish dentists concerning dementia care.
• To identify gaps in dentists' preparedness for supporting individuals with dementia.
• To inform the development of targeted training and support for dental professionals.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey of 56 dentists in Scotland.
• Utilized the Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS-6) and additional questions on training, confidence, and dementia behaviors.
• Descriptive statistical analysis to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Main Results:

• High positive attitudes towards person-centered dementia care (92%).
• Significant knowledge gaps: 36% confident in identifying early cognitive decline, 48% prepared for advanced dementia care.
• Uncertainty in promoting self-care (64%) and need for practical guidance on early signs, treatment tailoring, and communication.

Conclusions:

• Scottish dentists exhibit positive attitudes but require enhanced practical knowledge and confidence in dementia care.
• Targeted training is crucial to address identified knowledge gaps and improve clinical practice.
• Further research needed on training impact and implementation barriers, acknowledging study limitations (sample size, response bias).