Teaching undergraduate geriatric dentistry in five South America countries

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to qualitatively analyse undergraduate geriatric dentistry (GD) teaching characteristics identified by geriatric dentistry teachers and senior students in five South American countries. Background GD involves the knowledge and skills required to provide oral health care for older people. Methods Exploratory‐descriptive research with a qualitative approach developed in the undergraduate context of public universities in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Nine dental schools were intentionally selected. The participants were GD module teachers (20) and their senior students (30). Data were collected through open interviews via Skype® conducted between May and August 2015 and were analysed using a content analysis technique with ATLAS.ti® software, resulting in four categories. Results GD modules are theoretical or a theoretical‐practical mix. Most teachers are prosthodontists without specific training in GD. Their motivations to teach GD are related to personal, family, professional and social reasons. Humanity, sensitivity and knowledge of older people are considered fundamental characteristics of a GD teacher. Conclusions Students' first contact with an older person usually occurs during clinical activities. The participants mentioned insufficient hours for GD modules in the curricula and exclusively theoretical modules that do not allow students to learn typical specificities of older people. In the context of this study, the undergraduate GD teaching‐learning process presented some weaknesses regarding educational methods, professor training and the interaction between older people and students. Diversification of learning scenarios and GD professor training are highly recommended.

Gerodontology in the dental school curriculum: A scoping review

“…Several of the studies were limited in their ability to give accurate summaries of gerodontology curricula due to the sample selection, data collection, poor response rate or limited information in the text. 29,33,34,36,39,41,42 Inter-rater agreement percentage larger than 10% interval with both having 12% difference in rater scoring.…”

“…[29][30][31][32] The majority of studies (10) used questionnaires or surveys to acquire data. [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] Two studies, both by Núñez et al, used semi-structured interviews, 41,42 while a further study collected bibliographical data and local information from a selected dental school. 43 Table 3 shows a summary of characteristics of the 15 studies included in the scoping review.…”

“…Fourteen articles assessed the content of the undergraduate dental curriculum relating to geriatric education [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][41][42][43] and four articles investigated attitudes, skills and knowledge of ageing or gerodontology. [38][39][40]42 Two of the studies involved dental students, 38,40 one study graduate dentists, 38,39 eight studies with dental school academic staff 31,[33][34][35][36][37]41,42 and four used dental school data. 29,30,32,43 The majority of studies were set in Europe with seven originating from European countries, 29,33,34,36,[38][39][40] three from South America, 35,41,42 two from North America, 30,37 two from Asia 32,…”

“…[38][39][40]42 Two of the studies involved dental students, 38,40 one study graduate dentists, 38,39 eight studies with dental school academic staff 31,[33][34][35][36][37]41,42 and four used dental school data. 29,30,32,43 The majority of studies were set in Europe with seven originating from European countries, 29,33,34,36,[38][39][40] three from South America, 35,41,42 two from North America, 30,37 two from Asia 32,43 and a further study from all five continents. 31 Five themes were highlighted in the studies including (1) gerodontology curriculum content, (2) attitudes, skills and knowledge of undergraduate dental students, (3) didactic teaching, (4) elective and compulsory teaching, and (5) extra-mural learning.…”

Preparing to meet the oral health needs of the elderly in Qatar - A model for Domiciliary Oral Health Care Services

“…The growing phenomenon of ageing was first experienced in countries in Europe, North America, Oceania and some Asian countries, but is now a worldwide concern [32]. This has resulted in inclusion of Geriatric Dentistry in the undergraduate dental curriculum to allow the future Dentists, Dental Hygienists, and Dental Therapists to acquire knowledge about ageing and the necessary skills to develop a better attitude towards this population group.…”