J Korean Acad Prosthodont.  2011 Jul;49(3):229-235.

Current status of dental geriatric education in Korea

• Kim HY
• Lee JY
• Huh JB
• Shin SW

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the current status of dental geriatric education in Korea.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One of the faculty members related in geriatric education was selected in each Korean dental school and the questionnaire on geriatric dental education was sent to them by e-mail. The questionnaire consists of the topics about undergraduate geriatric education and administration of the geriatric education. The information obtained from the questionnaire was compared with that of other countries in the aspects of curriculum, teaching methods, subjects, and existence of specific clinics, etc.
RESULTS
Seven schools have geriatric dentistry in undergraduate education curriculum. Among those, only two schools had it taught by theoretical lecture as well as clinical lecture. Two dental schools had specific geriatric clinic among seven dental schools. Compared with the USA and western European countries, the geriatric dental education in Korea is at a developing stage and was perfunctory without diverse clinical experience.
CONCLUSION
In Korean dental schools, geriatric education was mostly conducted by lectures, and clinical teaching programs were not well organized compared with developed countries. It seems that the status of geriatric dental education in Korea has not been well established academically or administratively yet.

Keyword

Geriatric dentistry; Elderly; Aging society; Education; School dentistry; Curriculum

MeSH Terms

Aged
Curriculum
Developed Countries
Education, Dental
Electronic Mail
Geriatric Dentistry
Humans
Korea
Lectures
Surveys and Questionnaires
School Dentistry
Schools, Dental
Teaching

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Status of population scale in Korea for each year from 2005 to 2050. Source: Prospective population census in the future, National Statistical Office, 2006.

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  Fig. 2. Trend of expanded life span in Korea from 1950 to 2050. Source: World population prospects, the 2008 revision, UN, 2009.

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  Fig. 3. Trend of total fertility in Korea from 1950 to 2050. Source: World population prospects, the 2008 revision, UN, 2009.

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  Fig. 4. Status of geriatric dental education in USA, Europe, and Korea.

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  Fig. 5. Topics covered in geriatric dentistry programs in USA, Europe, and Korea.

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  Fig. 6. Administration of geriatric dentistry in USA, Europe, and Korea.

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