'Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG)'
Abstract
Introduction: The study surveys the present state of undergraduate dental education
in gerodontology in Germany and highlights changes between 2004 and 2019.
Materials and Methods: In 2019, questionnaires were emailed to the department
heads of all German dental schools. Data were analysed descriptively and compared
to existing data from 2004, 2009 and 2014.
Results: Thirty-nine (86.7%) out of forty-five responding department heads stated to
teach aspects of gerodontology in traditional core subject lecture series. Overall, 15
(55.6%) out of 27 responding dental university schools are offering special education
in gerodontology (dedicated lecture series and/or practical training). A stronger focus
on non-dental topics has been observed over the years.
Discussion: The 15-year observation period in Germany shows that teaching gerodontology should be mandatory. There is a lack of specialists in gerodontology at
the dental schools, although specialisation has been possible for many years in the
German professional association. Students should be sure that, as in other subjects,
they are well trained for the very heterogeneous patient group of seniors. The financial and personnel prerequisites for the universities need to be established.
Conclusion: Inclusion of gerodontology in the national syllabus is a decisive factor
for the integration of the subject into undergraduate courses. The recommendations
of the European College of Gerodontology (2009) and of the German Association
of Gerodontology (DGAZ) regarding didactical and practical teaching should be implemented in the respective compulsory syllabus to prepare current undergraduate
dental students for the demographic challenges of tomorro
