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Ageism scale for dental students (ASDS): A focus group review of content validity
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Ageism scale for dental students (ASDS): A focus group review of content validity

Kendall Elliott, Kimberly C Dukes, Patrick B Barlow, Anastassia Kossioni and Leonardo Marchini
Special care in dentistry, Vol.44(4), pp.1135-1145
07/17/2024
DOI: 10.1111/scd.12960
PMID: 38217073
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/scd.12960View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Improve content validity of the Ageism Scale for Dental Students (ASDS) and identify barriers to using the scale. Thematic analysis of transcripts of three purposively sampled focus groups of 1) geriatric dentistry specialists, 2) older adult dental patients, and 3) dental students. Twenty-five participants engaged in focus groups. No new concepts to define ageism were identified. Experts found the scale acceptable and appropriate, yet they raised specific potential revisions to scale questions. Commonly reported themes already addressed by ASDS included the importance of tailoring decision-making to patient preference and not making assumptions about older adults' capacity or preferences for dental care. Barriers to identifying ageism or using the scale included experiential differences in interpreting scale items, cultural differences in attitudes towards older adults, and potential overlap with social determinants of health. Secondary findings include recommendations for older-adult focused training for dental students to provide positive, concrete guidance on caring for older adults. There are opportunities to refine the Ageism Scale for Dental Students and to allow tailoring of the scale for specific national or cultural contexts.
dental students ageism attitude of health personnel aged scale development UIOWA OA Agreement

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