Curriculum content in geriatric dentistry in USA dental schools

Abstract

Objectives:The aim of this study was to re-examine the teaching of geriatric dentistry in the USA dental schools, to identify curriculum content and compare the findings to previous reports.Methods: All dental schools in the United States were contacted via email with a questionnaire to assess the teaching of geriatric dentistry. Non-responding schools were sent a minimum of three reminder emails to complete the survey. A statistical analysis was performed. Descriptive statistics were conducted to profile the variables of interest. Bivariate analysis was performed to explore if any of the variables were related using Fisher's exact test, non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the KruskalWallis test.Results: Fifty-six of the 67 dental schools completed the questionnaire. Geriatric dentistry was taught in all dental schools; for 92.8%, the course was compulsory. We found that 62.5% were teaching it as an independent course, 25% as an organised series of lectures and 8.9% as occasional lectures in parts of other courses. Clinically, 84.2% have some form of compulsory education in geriatric dentistry. Public schools were marginally associated with an increased interest in expanding the geriatric dentistry curriculum (P = .078). No differences were found between these variables and school location. Conclusions:Geriatric dentistry is now required in 92.8% of dental schools. The teaching of traditional topics has not changed much; however, the number of gerontological topics has increased. Clinical teaching needs to be expanded, as in only 57.1% of schools was it a requirement. The ageing imperative will require research to determine the impact of teaching on services to the geriatric community.

Oral health care for patients with Alzheimer's disease: An update

“…At the dental professional level, although 92.8% of U.S. dental schools teach geriatric dentistry as a compulsory course, and 84.9% of those teach the topic “Restorative management of persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias,” only 57.1% had some compulsory clinical education in geriatric dentistry and it is unsure how much of this clinical training involves patients with dementia. A small number of dentists have received advanced training in geriatric dentistry in the United States, and there is a shortage of current fellowship programs …”

Teaching undergraduate geriatric dentistry in five South America countries

“…The literature also mentions some barriers that hinder the GD teaching‐learning process: the total number of DSs, the lack of specialist professors who teach GD and the need to train more professors due to the limited number of specific training programmes . The lack of rotations in geriatrics, which results in inadequate knowledge regarding this age group, and the lack of communication and confidence have also been identified as obstacles faced by undergraduates in health care, as well as the lack of skills to manage frail, elderly patients …”

“…17 The lack of rotations in geriatrics, which results in inadequate knowledge regarding this age group, and the lack of communication and confidence have also been identified as obstacles faced by undergraduates in health care, 32 as well as the lack of skills to manage frail, elderly patients. 33 The relevance of teaching GD in DSs is also related to the context of social and health policies of the country in question. Public policies are designed to maintain older people's well-being and security.…”

Geriatrics, disabilities, dentistry, ethics and economics

“…In addition, there are barriers in preparing current practitioners to provide care to individuals with special needs. Since 1969, an increasing number of U.S. state dental boards require dentists to complete a defined number of continuing education hours . Unfortunately, few if any continuing education courses emphasise the care of individuals with special needs.…”

“…Since 1969, an increasing number of U.S. state dental boards require dentists to complete a defined number of continuing education hours. 10 Unfortunately, few if any continuing education courses emphasise the care of individuals with special needs. Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry requires a specified minimum number of hours of continuing education in a range of subject, including care for patients with special health needs.…”