engleski

Students' knowledge related to temporomandibular disorders from the view of gerodontology

Introduction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate undergraduate students' knowledge in Croatia about oral care of the elderly related to temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Methods and materials. The study carried out on 47 students of School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb and 24 students of Department of Dental Medicine at School of Medicine, University of Rijeka. All students were in the last year of studying. The average age of all participants was 23.8 years, 29 were male and 42 female. The questionnaire consisted of general information, specific knowledge about oral care of the elderly, and level of relevant and current knowledge on TMDs (Likhert’ s scale in which 0-3 means “ disagree” , 7-10 means “ agree” , and 4-6 means neutral standpoint). Data were analyzed by chi-squared test or Fischer’ s exact test. Results. High level of positive answers was given by both groups of students about importance of the increasing proportion of old adults in general population and a close connection with oral health and dental specialties. Both groups of students were not sure that the prevalence of TMD decreased with age ; they answered neutrally. Students from Rijeka showed better knowledge that psychological condition could have influence on treatment of TMD (p=0.039). However, students from Zagreb considered that only clicking or crepitus in TMJs is not an obligatory indication for treatment (p=0.006). 57.5% of students from Zagreb were unsatisfied with education level from the field of dental care of geriatric population in the dental curriculum, and 45.8% of students from Rijeka answered neutrally (p=0.005). Conclusions. Specific geriatric education is expected to be provided by dental schools and be a part of undergraduate curriculum. The level of participants’ knowledge of the evaluated groups showed that it is important to improve the undergraduate dental teaching including knowledge about TMD.

temporomandibular disorders; magnetic resonance imaging; gerontology

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