Translation and validation of an ageism scale for dental students in Switzerland

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to validate an ageism scale for dental students in Switzerland. Methods: The original scale was first translated to German and then evaluated by 14 experts for relevance; four items were eliminated. Validation of the resulting questionnaire was performed at three Swiss dental schools. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed; Cronbach's alpha (α) was used to assess the internal consistency reliability, and Pearson's coefficient to identify any correlations with demographic parameters (P < 0.05). Results: PCA revealed 11 items among 4 factors (Overall: 11 items, α = 0.63, variance = 56.6%; Factor #1 (F1): items = 3, α = 0.64; Factor #2 (F2): items = 3, α = 0.42; Factor #3 (F3): items = 3, α = 0.35; Factor #4 (F4): items = 2, α = 0.37). F1 and F4 were correlated with clinical experience (F1: P = 0.042; F4: P = 0.006) and participation in a gerodontology course (F1: P = 0.021; F4: P = 0.004). F1 was correlated with experience of dealing with the elderly (P = 0.031), while residence locality was correlated with F3 (P = 0.047) and F4 (P = 0.043). F2 was correlated with the presence of elderly in the family (P = 0.047). Conclusion:The translated dental ageism questionnaire for Switzerland resulted in an 11-item scale with acceptable reliability.

Validation of ageism scale for dental students in India: (Ageism Scale for Dental Students- India) – a cross sectional study.

“…23 There was no significant difference when it came to comparison between having history of living with elderly or not regarding all components. Similar results were seen with the USA, 10 German, 20 Brazil 21 and French versions. 22 But in the Serbian version students who had older family members displayed much more "ageist" attitudes than those who did not, for one particular question.…”

“…23 Component 1: barriers/concerns in dental treatment of elderly There were 4 items from the agism scale under component 1 which are 16, 17, 8 and 19 in descending order of factor loading. Item 16 was also seen in the dual institution validation study in USA version of agism scale under the component "Preconceived notions about dental treatment", 10 under "Values/ethics about older people" in the Greek version 19 and under the same category as this study in the German version, 20 in component 2 ("education around older patients care") of the French version 22 and factor 1 ("Negative view of older adults' life and dental treatment") of the Serbian version. 23 The Q17 was "whether elderly patients make it long enough to make investment worthwhile" and was seen in the US version under "Preconceived notions about dental treatment", 10 under the component "negative view of older patients" in Brazil version, 21 under "Values/ethics about older people" in the Greek version, 19 component 2 ("education around older patients care") of the French version 22 and factor 1 ("Negative view of older adults' life and dental treatment") of the Serbian version.…”

“…A similar result was seen in validation study carried out in USA 10 whereas in the Greek version men showed more sympathy towards the elderly than women. 19 There was no difference in any of the components while comparing gender in the German 20 and Brazilian 21 versions whereas in the French version men scored significantly lesser than women in component three which dealt with education around older patients care. 22 Additionally, gender distinctions in factors 1 and 4 were discovered.…”

“…was the eighth question in the agism scale and it was seen under the components "negative view of older patients" in Brazil version, 21 under "Values/ethics about older people" in the Greek version 19 and "Patient compliance" factor in German version. 20 The last item in this component in this study was Q19 which was seen in complexity of providing care for older adults" in Brazilian version, 21 under "Barriers to dental care" factor in Greek version, 19 "Practitioner's perspective" in German version 20 and factor 1 ("Negative view of older adults' life and dental treatment") of the Serbian version. 23 Component 2: patient compliance This component had 3 items; 5, 6 and 9 where all three were reverse-coded so that higher score indicated more agism.…”

“…23 Component 5: treatment success rate The items 12 and 21 were grouped in the 'Treatment success rate' component. In the German version Q12 was seen under the component "Opinions about elderly" and Q21 was seen in "Barriers/concerns on dental treatment in elderly" 20 and under "Exposure to geriatric dental training and experiences" in the Romanian version. 9 The benefits of publishing with F1000Research:…”