ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
Es escaso el conocimiento existente sobre la realidad de la salud y enfermedad bucal de los Adultos Mayores de nuestro país y tampoco existen estudios de personas institucionalizadas. Por este motivo se realizó un estudio epidemiológico piloto sobre la salud buco-dental de adultos mayores residentes en un hogar de ancianos. Se compararon los valores de CPO obtenidos según franjas etarias y deterioro cognitivo. También se analizaron las enfermedades crónicas prevalentes y el número de medicamentos consumidos por residente y su relación con la presencia de xerostomía. Los resultados obtenidos fueron la presencia de un elevado número de enfermedades crónicas y de polifarmacia. Se verificaron síntomas de xerostomía en residentes que consumían más de 5 medicamentos por día. Se constató un elevado CPO presente, siendo mayor en los grupos de mayor edad y con deterioro cognitivo severo.
