Current status of geriatric dentistry education in selected dental schools in Latin America and the Caribbean.

OBJECTIVE: Latin American and Carribean (LAC) are currently experiencing a rapid aging of their population, coupled with a significant burden of oral diseases. Despites this, there is a scarcity of evidence regarding the manner in wich geriatric dentistry is being taught in dental schools across LAC. So, the objective of this study is to investigate the current status of geriatric dentistry education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in selected LAC dental schools. METHODS: An electronic questionnaire was developed and emailed to all 539 dental schools in 19 LAC countries. The questionnaire recorded activity levels, contents and methodology of geriatric dentistry education as part of dental degree programmes. Reminders by email and telephone calls were used to encourage non-responders to complete the questionnaire. RESULTS: In total, 317 schools from 17 countries responded to the questionnaire (response rate: 58.8%). Geriatric dentistry was taught in 54.6% of the schools at the undergraduate level and in 6.9% at the postgraduate level. Thirty two percent of the schools had a programme director trained in geriatric dentistry. Geriatric dentistry was taught as an independent course in 14.5% of the schools. Dry mouth, periodontal disease, denture-related conditions and prosthodontic management, oral mucosal disease and age-related changes of the orofacial complex were the most frequently covered topics. Clinical teaching of geriatric dentistry was reported by 26.5% of the schools, with 38.0% providing clinical training in outreach facilities. CONCLUSIONS: Geriatric dentistry education remains incipient in LAC, with only one in every four dental school offering it as a standalone course. There is an urgent need to further develop geriatric dentistry education in the continent, including further research to develop a minimum geriatric dentistry curriculum.

Cariology Curriculum in Chilean Universities

ABSTRACT: Aim: To describe the current state of undergraduate Cariology teaching in Chilean universities. Material and Methods: A previously content-validated questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional study including all private/public universities. Statistical analysis was performed determining frecuency distributions of categorical variables with the Stata Data Analysis and Statistical Software 13.1®. Results: Cariology is a key issue in undergraduate education, and in most universities, is taught as key axis of courses, in various departments, for more than one year. Consistency was found in Cariology topics taught. The clinical threshold for surgical treatment is roughly divided into thirds (33.3% enamel microcavitation, 38.9% underlying shadow and 27.8% dentin cavity), no university indicated operative treatment for non cavitated lesions. Radiographic threshold for surgical treatment is the external dentinal third (66.7%). Conclusions: Answers revealed a mix of traditional and modern Cariology concepts. Depite some encouraging results, half of Chilean universities considered that Cariology is not appropriately implemented and no standardization exists between theoretical teaching and clinical management, nonoperative management is not properly clinically implemented, students are evaluated for tissue damage restoration and resistance to non-invasive philosophy adoption remains.

Geriatric dentistry content in the curriculum of the dental schools in Chile.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the status of pre-doctoral geriatric dentistry education among all Chilean dental schools. BACKGROUND: Chile is one of the most rapidly ageing countries in Latin America. Consequently, specific knowledge and training on the needs of elderly populations need to be emphasised in dental schools. The current extent and methods of teaching geriatric dentistry among the dental schools in Chile are unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A web-based questionnaire was developed and sent to all 19 Chilean dental schools to identify which schools had a formal programme on geriatric dentistry and ask about their format, content and type of training of the faculty who taught in the programmes. Data were analysed, and a comparison was made among the schools. RESULTS: Sixteen (84%) of the participant schools reported teaching at least some aspects of geriatric dentistry, using various methodologies, but only 7 (37%) had specific courses. Of those schools reporting a didactic content on geriatric dentistry, 71% included clinical training, either in the school's dental clinics or in an extramural service. Contents mostly included demographics of ageing, theories of ageing and medical conditions. More than half of the faculty (57%) stated that they had formal training in geriatric dentistry, 43% were trained in prosthodontics, public health or other areas. CONCLUSIONS: Although most dental schools taught geriatric dentistry, only some had a specific course. Most schools with formal courses followed the international curriculum guidelines for geriatric dentistry.