Geriatric Dentistry BDNT 5188

Course description:

This course will examine clinical topics in geriatric oral medicine, focusing on disease patterns in the elderly, and the interrelationship of multiple diseases in individual older patients. It deals with oral health, oral diseases, soft and hard tissue pathology, and the assessment of treatment needs and of dental care in healthy and ill elderly people.

Course Aims:

The course aims to provide students with knowledge including prevention, diagnosis, dental restorative materials and treatment as well as practice management and dental care delivery models for elderly.

Course outcomes:

On completion of the course, students should  be able to:
  • Have an understanding and awareness of the aging process  and make a treatment plan according to such considerations and in their assessments of all patients.
  • Have knowledge of processes related to dental caries, tooth wear and discoloration of tooth substance, and how these manifest in the oral cavity in both healthy and ailing elderly people.
  • Carry out diagnosis, prevention, treatment and follow-up of caries, tooth wear and discoloration of tooth substance in agreement with the expectations, needs and physical and mental conditions of elderly patients.
  • Understand social, cultural and age-related aspects that may affect the occurrence and development of oral diseases and injuries in the oral cavity in both healthy and ill elderly people.
  • Be  confident when treating elderly individuals with reduced physical and/or mental disabilities.
  • Be confident when communicating with and providing oral health care for patients with dementia.