Geriatric dentistry teaching and the curricular guidelines in dental schools in South American countries

Abstract

Abstract Objective: to analyze the teaching of geriatric dentistry from the perspective of the National Curricular Guidelines (NCG) for undergraduate courses in dentistry in South American countries. Method: an exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach was carried out, covering the dental schools of public universities in five South American countries which included a geriatric dentistry module in their curriculums. Twenty intentionally selected participants were included. Semi-structured open interviews were recorded using digital media and the content was analyzed using the Thematic Analysis technique with Atlas-Ti® software, based on the current NCG in each country. Results: the NCG evaluated in the five countries were similar in terms of the norms that guide the education of the dental surgeon. Three categories of analysis were identified: professional profile, skill development and the geriatric dentistry teaching-learning process for the undergraduate student. Conclusions: dentistry teaching has sought to connect with the NCG. However, the simple insertion of a geriatric dentistry module in the curriculum is not sufficient to promote a teaching-learning process that allows the student to develop skills to provide better care for the elderly.

Keywords

• Geriatric Dentistry
• Teaching
• Curriculum
• Aging
• Elderly