Undergraduate teaching in gerodontology in Austria, Switzerland and Germany

Nitschke, Ina; Müller, Frauke; Ilgner, Alexander; Reiber, Thomas

doi:10.1111/j.1741-2358.2004.00031.x

Cited by 39 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The crowded European curricula promoting elective courses and the tendency for having Comprehensive Care Clinics may have contributed to for this change. Positive changes are the slight increases in the dedicated Gerodontology courses (+1.4%), in clinical training (+3.2%) and in the visitations in nursing homes (+3.3%) when compared to the survey from Preshaw et al [19]. Significant positives include the increase by 16% of the assignment of Gerodontology program directors and the increase by 35% in the training of the program directors in Gerodontology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) an increase in undergraduate Gerodontology teaching from 2004 to 2009 was recorded [19], including dedicated Gerodontology courses [20]. In Athens, Greece, Gerodontology education has been developed within Removable Prosthodontics since 1991, and has been taught as a dedicated course since 2003 [21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Higher education in Gerodontology in European Universities

Kossioni

McKenna²,

Müller

et al. 2017

BMC Oral Health

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BackgroundThe rapid aging of the European population and the subsequent increase in the oral care needs in older adults necessitates adequate training of dental professionals in Gerodontology (Geriatric Dentistry). This study was designed to investigate the current status of Gerodontology teaching amongst European dental schools at the undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education levels.MethodsAn electronic questionnaire was developed by a panel of experts and emailed to the Deans or other contact persons of 216 dental schools across 39 European countries. The questionnaire recorded activity levels, contents and methodology of Gerodontology teaching as part of dental education programs. Repeated e-mail reminders and telephone calls were used to encourage non-responders to complete the questionnaire.ResultsA total of 123 responses from 29 countries were received (response rate: 56.9%). Gerodontology was taught in 86.2% of schools at the undergraduate level, in 30.9% at the postgraduate level and in 30.1% at the continuing education level. A total of 43.9% of the responding schools had a dedicated Gerodontology program director. Gerodontology was taught as an independent subject in 37.4% of the respondent schools. Medical problems in old age, salivary impairment and prosthodontic management were the most commonly covered topics in Gerodontology teaching. Clinical teaching took place in 64.2% of the respondent schools, with 26.8% offering clinical training in outreach facilities.ConclusionsThe vast majority of European dental schools currently teach Gerodontology at the undergraduate level. More training opportunities in oral care of frail elders should be offered, and more emphasis should be placed on interdisciplinary and interprofessional training, educational collaborations, and the use of modern technologies. Dedicated postgraduate Gerodontology courses need to be developed to create a significant number of specialized dentists and trained academics.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12903-017-0362-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Higher education in Gerodontology in European Universities

Kossioni

McKenna²,

Müller

et al. 2017

BMC Oral Health

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“…During the last 15-years Gerodontology has been included in the curriculae of many Dental Schools (Nitschke et al 2001; Mohammad et al 2003; Kossioni and Karkazis 2006). Three factors are mainly responsible: (a) the increased number of older persons in the present society, (b) their often complicated general condition that affects dental management, and (c) the changes in the dental disease and needs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The stomatognathic system in the elderly. Useful information for the medical practitioner

Kossioni

Dontas²

2008

CIA

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Aging per se has a small effect on oral tissues and functions, and most changes are secondary to extrinsic factors. The most common oral diseases in the elderly are increased tooth loss due to periodontal disease and dental caries, and oral precancer/cancer. There are many general, medical and socioeconomic factors related to dental disease (ie, disease, medications, cost, educational background, social class). Retaining less than 20 teeth is related to chewing difficulties. Tooth loss and the associated reduced masticatory performance lead to a diet poor in fibers, rich in saturated fat and cholesterols, related to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and gastrointestinal cancer. The presence of occlusal tooth contacts is also important for swallowing. Xerostomia is common in the elderly, causing pain and discomfort, and is usually related to disease and medication. Oral health parameters (ie, periodontal disease, tooth loss, poor oral hygiene) have also been related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bacterial pneumonia, and increased mortality, but the results are not yet conclusive, because of the many confounding factors. Oral health affects quality of life of the elderly, because of its impact on eating, comfort, appearance and socializing. On the other hand, impaired general condition deteriorates oral condition. It is therefore important for the medical practitioner to exchange information and cooperate with a dentist in order to improve patient care.

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“…In Germany, gerodontology was mostly taught in the Departments of Prosthodontics and Materials Science (n=4). However, formats 13 and weighting of undergraduate dental teaching in gerodontology in different European countries are dissimilar 14 and have not been suficiently researched. All German universities that taught gerodontology also performed research in the ield.…”

Section: Survey Of Deansmentioning

confidence: 99%