Knowledge, attitude, and practice of dentists in India regarding geriatric oral healthcare and polypharmacy management: a cross-sectional study

The global population is ageing rapidly, presenting significant challenges to oral healthcare systems. Geriatric patients frequently present with complex oral conditions compounded by polypharmacy and systemic comorbidities. Despite widespread treatment of elderly patients, whether dentists possess adequate knowledge and systematic application of evidence-based practices remains unclear. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Indian dentists concerning geriatric oral healthcare and polypharmacy management, using the KAP theoretical model as a conceptual framework. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among practicing dentists across India between May and July 2025. A convenience sample of 1511 registered dentists actively engaged in clinical practice completed a validated, self-administered questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.86) that assessed demographics, KAP dimensions, and awareness of geriatric assessment and polypharmacy management tools (GOHAI, FORTA, Beers Criteria, MAI, ARMOR). Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and Pearson correlation were employed for data analysis using SPSS version 27. Of 1511 participants, nearly all (97.4%) modified treatment plans for elderly patients, indicating high clinical engagement. However, knowledge scores were considerably lower than attitude scores: only 8.2% demonstrated good knowledge compared to 71.5% with positive attitudes. Critical knowledge gaps were identified: 68.9% were unaware of FORTA or Beers Criteria, and only 9.6% used GOHAI in practice. Among the most common communication barriers were patient confusion in decision-making (30.5%) and lack of understanding (23.8%). The prevalence of oral conditions like tooth loss (50.6%) and periodontitis (37.0%), was high. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.59, p < 0.001) was observed between prevalence of oral health changes and medication-related concerns, suggesting practitioners’ recognition of the oral-systemic link. Years of clinical experience, government/academic practice setting, and prior geriatric training significantly predicted higher KAP scores (p < 0.05). While dentists in India demonstrate positive attitudes and clinical engagement in treating elderly patients, substantial gaps exist in systematic application of evidence-based geriatric assessment and polypharmacy management tools. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted educational interventions, curricular reform, and policy support to equip the dental workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary for safe, effective geriatric oral healthcare.