Undergraduate teaching in gerodontology in Leipzig and Zürich – a comparison of different approaches

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate undergraduate students' attitude towards the clinical components of the Leipzig (LPEG) and Zürich (ZPEG) Programmes of Education in Gerodontology. BACKGROUND: Undergraduate student education is the seedbed for conscientious professionals. Extramural clinical education contributes to the formation of positive attitudes. Students in Zürich participate in three clinical activities (in-house gerodontology clinic, extramural acute geriatrics ward, mobile dental service), in Leipzig they visit a long-term care facility on six occasions within 4 years. METHODS: A structured questionnaire with 10 items was administered to students in Leipzig [n = 34, 70.6% female, mean age 25.8 (SD 3.04) years] at the beginning and after completion of gerodontology training and to students in Zürich [n = 33, 48.5% female, mean age 27.0 (SD 3.28) years] on three occasions after clinical training. Students indicated the degree of their agreement with seven statements presented using a 5-point scale. A choice of responses which characterised the course was offered for assessment. RESULTS: Close collaboration with dental tutors, while self-treating patients in the mobile dental service (mobiDent) attracted the most positive responses. Ratings from students completing their training in Leipzig were less favourable than their initial responses. CONCLUSION: The lack of a dental service and Leipzig students' inability to offer treatment in the presence of disease was associated with frustrations. Practical training should go beyond dental examinations at a long-term care facility and include the opportunity for dental treatment. Personnel and equipment required for mobile treatment exceed resources available at most German dental schools.