BackgroundWith demographic changes in aging populations, dentists require special care protocols to treat older adults with diverse and complex oral health needs and problems. Knowledge, positive attitudes, and sufficient practice experience are essential components for promptly treating older adults. However, many dentists encounter multiple barriers influencing their willingness to provide care for older adults. This study assessed Indonesian dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in providing oral health care (OHC) for older adults, including their willingness and barriers.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was conducted with 392 dentists employing an online questionnaire between April and June 2022. The respondents' KAP was categorised utilising a modified Blooms' cut‐off point of ≥60%. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the x2 test, and logistic regression.ResultsMost dentists demonstrated adequate knowledge (62.2%), a positive attitude (95.4%), sufficient practice experience (91.6%), and a high willingness (98%) to provide OHC services for older adults. However, 91.4% encountered barriers primarily related to interpersonal communication, disease complexity and polypharmacy, and patient functional status. Significant associations were found between dentists' attitudes toward practices and willingness to attend geriatric dentistry training with knowledge.ConclusionImplementation of continuing professional development (CPD) in geriatric dentistry, the inclusion of geriatric dentistry into the undergraduate curriculum, and enhancing clinic accessibility for older adults may improve dentists' preparedness and benefit the future provision of OHC for older adults in Indonesia.

中文翻译：

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印度尼西亚牙医对为老年人提供口腔保健的看法


背景随着人口老龄化的变化，牙医需要特殊的护理方案来治疗具有多样化和复杂的口腔健康需求和问题的老年人。知识、积极的态度和足够的实践经验是及时治疗老年人的重要组成部分。然而，许多牙医遇到了多种障碍，影响了他们为老年人提供护理的意愿。本研究评估了印度尼西亚牙医在为老年人提供口腔保健 (OHC) 方面的知识、态度和实践 (KAP)，包括他们的意愿和障碍。方法在 4 月至 2019 年间，采用在线问卷调查对 392 名牙医进行了横断面调查。 2022 年 6 月。利用修改后的 Blooms ≥60% 截止点对受访者的 KAP 进行分类。使用描述性统计、x2检验和逻辑回归对数据进行分析。结果大多数牙医表现出足够的知识（62.2％）、积极的态度（95.4％）、足够的实践经验（91.6％）和高度愿意（98％）为老年人提供 OHC 服务。然而，91.4% 的人遇到的障碍主要与人际沟通、疾病复杂性和多药治疗以及患者功能状态有关。研究发现，牙医对实践的态度与参加老年牙科知识培训的意愿之间存在显着关联。结论在老年牙科中实施持续专业发展（CPD）、将老年牙科纳入本科课程以及提高老年人就诊的可及性可能会有所帮助。提高牙医的准备水平，并有利于印度尼西亚未来为老年人提供 OHC。