Premium
International Education Research Issues in Meeting the Oral Health Needs of Geriatric Populations: An Introduction
Author(s) -
Bullock Alison D.,
Berkey Douglas,
Smith Barbara J.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1930-7837
pISSN - 0022-0337
DOI - 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2010.74.1.tb04847.x
Subject(s) - unit (ring theory) , library science , oral health , dental education , sociology , medicine , gerontology , medical education , family medicine , psychology , computer science , mathematics education
In 2005, the World Health Organization outlined priorities for geriatric oral health and recommended education for oral health care providers in both biomedical and psychosocial aspects of care for older people.1 In order to reassess the existing educational systems and training needs of those serving increasingly elderly societies, this topic was made the focus of two international symposia held in 2008—the first at the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) Annual Meeting in Dallas2 and the second at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) General Session in Toronto.3 Revised versions of the papers presented by some of the speakers who contributed to these meetings are being published here. The overall purpose of the symposia was to propose a research framework for use in the development of educational practice. The specific aims were to: (1) describe current practice in the education and training of those serving the oral health needs of the geriatric population; (2) seek understanding of the relationship of educational systems to the oral health status, needs, and demographics of the geriatric population, exploring cross-national differences; and (3) consider the challenges and opportunities for educational research to improve the oral health and promote the well-being of the geriatric population. This introduction provides a summary of the three principal themes that emerged from the meetings: defining older adults, geriatric dental education, and research issues. The introduction concludes with suggested dimensions that might be included in a research framework.