Premium
The development of a modular gerontology curriculum for dental health practitioners
Author(s) -
TEITELMAN JODI L.,
PARHAM IRIS A.,
SHIPMAN BARRY
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.1983.tb01313.x
Subject(s) - curriculum , medicine , geriatrics , geriatric dentistry , medical education , population , health care , quality (philosophy) , modular design , gerontology , nursing , family medicine , oral health , psychology , pedagogy , computer science , environmental health , philosophy , epistemology , psychiatry , economics , economic growth , operating system
SUMMARY The modular gerontology curriculum offers dental students a needed introduction to major issues they will confront in their practices with ever‐increasing numbers of elderly patients. The modular curriculum helps sensitize students and make them aware that the needs of the elderly must be addressed, if the delivery of dental services in the future is to be effective. Students' roles in geriatric care will become better accepted as they receive exposure to information about the older patient population. By familiarizing them with accurate ideas about the elderly, the curriculum can help students eliminate stereotyped thinking and improve their attitudes towards this patient population. As the population becomes progressively more advanced in age, the demand for dental care by practitioners with specialized training in geriatrics will increase. Through the development of structured curriculum in gerontology, dental practitioners will potentially become better prepared to deal with the unique health care needs of this growing population. The development of modular curriculum packages offers a realistic, concise, and timely approach to a cluttered dental curriculum. The appropriate utilization of these packages can stimulate faculty and students to improve and expand their basic gerontologic knowledge, offering improved clinical application. With proper instruction and motivation, the quality of care provided older patients by dentists will improve.