A specialized area of dentistry incorporating diagnosis, management, and treatment of dental conditions in older adults. These consider physiological and pathological age changes, disease and medication-related aspects, and problems associated with the delivery of dental care.
Published in Chapter:
Study Plans and Programs Supporting Geriatric Dentistry Teaching in Cuba: An Update
Dachel Martínez Asanza (National School of Public Health, Cuba & University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba),
Isis Anastasia Rojas Herrera (Havana Dental School, University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba),
Anuli U. Njoku (Southern Connecticut State University, USA), Ana Clara Reyes Puig (Havana Dental School, University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba),
Farida Mouloudj (University of Medea, Algeria), Indira Gómez Capote (Havana Dental School, University of Medical Sciences of Havana, Cuba), and
Gerardo Maupome (Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, USA)
Copyright: © 2024
|Pages: 18
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-0260-6.ch007
Abstract
The aging population in the world constitutes one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century across social sectors; dental education is no exception. This review explored the status of geriatric dentistry teaching in Cuba and contrasted it with examples from international curricula and programs. Google Scholar, PubMed, Wiley, and Scielo databases were used to search for articles that address geriatric dentistry topics, focusing on undergraduate curricular issues and the management of postgraduate specialization. The findings highlight the need to update curricula and programs for dentistry studies in Cuba to improve the quality of dental care for the aging population. The evolution of training future Cuban graduates aims to meet the healthcare needs of older adults while preserving their quality of life. Additionally, the incorporation of new information and communication technologies has been observed during this process.