Researchers have repeatedly found negative attitudes toward the aged among health professionals. Evaluates the impact of oral health status upon dental student attitudes toward the aged. Suggests that attitudes of students may become initially more negative due to exposure to generally poor oral conditions of elderly patients. (Author)

A 1984 survey of dental schools was compared with a 1979 survey showing an increase in the teaching of geriatric dentistry. Factors associated with the establishment of a course were that the school was located in a state with a large geriatric population and financial assistance for patients was available. (Author/MLW)

The need for the incorporation of training in geriatrics and gerontology into basic medical and dental education has recently been recognized. Existing studies which attempt to measure the attitudes of medical and dental students toward the aged are extremely limited. As part of a larger study of attitudes and knowledge among 500 health workers,…