Geriatric Dentistry

[MsPurtell]

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Hi guys,

I've found that I really enjoy working with my older patients. I know that "geriatric dentistry" is not a recognized specialty, but I do know there are dentists that designate themselves as such. Anyone know if there are programs out there that train their residents specifically in geriatric dentistry? Or, do some dentists just use this designation after doing, say, a GPR or AEGD, because they want primarily to work with older folks? TIA! I'm having trouble finding info by googling.

Margaret

 

[KY2007]

Hi guys,

I've found that I really enjoy working with my older patients. I know that "geriatric dentistry" is not a recognized specialty, but I do know there are dentists that designate themselves as such. Anyone know if there are programs out there that train their residents specifically in geriatric dentistry? Or, do some dentists just use this designation after doing, say, a GPR or AEGD, because they want primarily to work with older folks? TIA! I'm having trouble finding info by googling.

Margaret

Prosthodontics

 

[GQ1]

Prosthodontics

yep, this is the biggest growing area for specialists. while the number of children in the country decreases the number of elderly increases. it can be personally satisfying to restore them to function, - speach, eating, esthetics. they normally have pretty interesting stories to tell, maybe just because theyve had 50 years more than the rest of us to perfect them. in addition this is the group of the population with the largest disposable income. dentures from a prosthodontist in grad school are $2k, in practice the average is 6-9k. remember this is a specialist not a gp when you consider the high price. good luck to you

 

[Smilemaker100]

Hi guys,

I've found that I really enjoy working with my older patients. I know that "geriatric dentistry" is not a recognized specialty, but I do know there are dentists that designate themselves as such. Anyone know if there are programs out there that train their residents specifically in geriatric dentistry? Or, do some dentists just use this designation after doing, say, a GPR or AEGD, because they want primarily to work with older folks? TIA! I'm having trouble finding info by googling.

Margaret

Yes, there is a geriatric/gerodontics specialty which is recognized and offered.However, it is offered at "L'Universite de Laval", a francophone university, which is in Quebec City, Quebec (Canada) . It is the only geriatric dentistry program offered in Canada (in french it is known as "gerodontologie."). It is a two year program (6 consecutive semesters -one semester lasts 15 weeks) which consists of 100 credits (includes a research project- you have to write a thesis). Upon graduation, you receive a diploma in geriatric dentistry as well as an M.Sc. You get a yearly stipend of about $37,500 (Cdn). The reason why I am aware of this program is because a friend of mine was interested in this program.

According to the website below, one has to possess a license from the "Order of Dentists of Quebec". There are only two spots available.The other requirements for admission are as follows:

1) hold a D.M.D or equivalent-they need your dental school transcripts
2) you have to be a Quebec resident (for at least 2 years)
3) letter of intent
4) three letters of recommendation
5) interview (most likely only in french)

http://www.ulaval.ca/sg/PR/C2/403W.html

Apparently, the University of Rochester Medical Center offers an interdisciplinary fellowship program in Geriatric Dentistry:

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/medicine/geriatrics/interdisciplinary/index.aspx

Duke University also offers a fellowship in Geriatric Dentistry:
http://www.geri.duke.edu/educate/dentistry.html

The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Dental is another institution which offers this fellowship:
http://dentalschool.umdnj.edu/opportunities/geriatric.htm

I believe that the following site for the American Society of Geriatric Dentistry may have more information that may interest you:

http://www.scdonline.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=7

If you want to read up on articles dealing with the issue of geriatric dentistry becoming a recognized specialty ,try the following link:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...d=Display&dopt=pubmed_pubmed&from_uid=6572027

No, a GPR or AEGD will not entitle you to declare yourself as being a specialist in geriatric dentistry!

Hope all this info helps you, Margaret !

 

[mam2004]

Hi guys,

I've found that I really enjoy working with my older patients. I know that "geriatric dentistry" is not a recognized specialty, but I do know there are dentists that designate themselves as such. Anyone know if there are programs out there that train their residents specifically in geriatric dentistry? Or, do some dentists just use this designation after doing, say, a GPR or AEGD, because they want primarily to work with older folks? TIA! I'm having trouble finding info by googling.

Margaret

hi! FYI, Nova Southeastern University , Fl has a 1 year program (2nd year optional) called (AEGD in Geriatric care and Special Needs). The residents there see a whole lot of geraitric pateints (its florida🙂) as well as physically/mentally challenged patients. You can contact Dr. Diana Nichols, the program director at: [email protected]
hope this helps..

 

[MsPurtell]

Thanks so much guys! I'll be checking into each of the programs you mentioned.

 

[Fullosseousflap]

USC has a world renown Gerontology program a few blocks south of the dental school.

Check it out here.

 

[tx oms]

No, a GPR or AEGD will not entitle you to declare yourself as being a specialist in geriatric dentistry!

If a weekend course entitles one to be a cosmetic dentist why can't a residency which has a heavy geriatric emphasis qualify one as a geriatric dentist?

 

[GQ1]

If a weekend course entitles one to be a cosmetic dentist why can't a residency which has a heavy geriatric emphasis qualify one as a geriatric dentist?

i know what you re saying oms, but i think we have to get awat from these joe schmoe crappy certificates in cosmetics, implantology etc. come on go and do the specialty instead of fleecing your pts.

 

[Dr. Pedo]

Also please check out the university of Iowa's geriatric fellowship. $40+k a year and the staff is incredible. They have one of the best research facilities in the nation----DOWS Institute-----and they are extremely progressive with their geriatric department as far as outreach programs and facilities. Contact (319) 335-7316 ask for Special Care and Dr. Cowen.

 

[MsPurtell]

Thanks! Gotta check this one out!

Also please check out the university of Iowa's geriatric fellowship. $40+k a year and the staff is incredible. They have one of the best research facilities in the nation----DOWS Institute-----and they are extremely progressive with their geriatric department as far as outreach programs and facilities. Contact (319) 335-7316 ask for Special Care and Dr. Cowen.