Management of Geriatric Patients in Clinical Settings Comorbid with Psychiatric Disorders: A KAP Study

Background and Objectives: Comorbidity with psychiatric disorders raises health risks and has an impact on the condition, treatment and prognosis of elderly patients, necessitating holistic dental care for this age group. Thus, present study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude, practice and awareness of psychiatric disorders and their relation to oral health amongst dental undergraduates, interns, postgraduate students and faculties treating geriatric patients.

Materials and Methods: A cross -sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 300 dental students and faculties from various departments. The questionnaire was developed and subsequent face validation was obtained from dental students followed by content validation from a medical expert and four dental experts which was then utilized to assess knowledge, attitude and practice amongst dental health practitioners and students for managing geriatric patients comorbid with psychiatric disorders.

Results: Of the total study participants, majority of faculties with clinical practice (86.0%]. had more knowledge regarding systemic disorders which can lead to psychiatric diseases in geriatric patients.66% of BDS interns and 40% of faculties evaluate the mental status of the geriatrics before commencing dental treatment. 64.9% of faculties and 56.4% interns believed in shared decision making for dentist patient relationship whereas remaining participants believed in dentist-based decision making which was found to be statistically significant (<0.001).

Conclusion: More evidence and research in this field is increasingly important and required to improve evidence-based clinical practice and therapy for geriatric patients.