Margherita Fontana
School of Dentistry
Global Initiatives in Oral and Craniofacial Health Program
With the world’s population undergoing a rapid and notable shift towards aging, an array of intricate and complex medical needs is emerging. The older population is retaining an increasing number of natural teeth. Consequently, the significance of geriatric dentistry within the dental profession has come into sharp focus, necessitating a fresh approach and perspective on oral health care (Soraya Leon et al., 2016; faculty from the University of Talca). Therefore, geriatric dentistry is a pressing and relevant field that demands robust academic programs and well-trained professionals to improve oral health and provide access to quality dental care for our aging communities.
Recognizing this evolving scenario, the University of Talca School of Dentistry has been at the forefront of innovative responses, creating a specialized Gerodontology program. This groundbreaking initiative offers specialized training to dental students and includes a robust graduate program for practicing dentists. As part of this program, a range of community services has been developed to increase access to essential dental care, including preventive services, for aging populations in community and home settings.
At the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, we share a similar vision. Our priority is not only to expand our students’ learning opportunities and increase knowledge through groundbreaking research but also to foster our student’s ability to effectively interact with geriatrics. As we find ourselves serving an ever-growing cohort of aging adults with unique dental complications, this commitment has gained newfound relevance. Additionally, the challenges faced by this demographic in terms of limited access to quality care and insurance coverage within the U.S., further compounded by language and cultural issues in diverse population groups, underscore the pressing need for us to address this issue responsibly.
To tackle these multifaceted challenges, we planned this new global program in Chile. The launch of this program inaugurated a more formal collaboration between the University of Talca and the University of Michigan. Our shared objective is to drive advancements in the oral health care of aging communities reliant on both institutions. Although the School of Dentistry has other global programs, each is unique in its educational objectives and focus, and none are centered on aging adults. This makes this program unique, new, and innovative. In fact, all of our other programs focus primarily on children and younger adults. Furthermore, as our students provide care in these programs, the faculty-to-student ratio is approximately 1 to 4-5, limiting the number of participants we can take on our trips compared to other units on campus.
This program sets certain learning goals for the participating students. First, it will enhance their knowledge about the unique dental problems and management strategies specifically aimed at aging populations in various settings, including dental clinics, community centers, and homes. Second, students will gain hands-on experience by observing and potentially assisting in patient care, as outlined in the agreement or MOU facilitated between both institutions. Finally, it will expose participants to the intricacies of dentist training in Chile, acquaint them with the Chilean healthcare system, and provide opportunities to improve cultural competency.
We anticipate that our students will significantly enhance their understanding of geriatric dentistry through this collaboration. By doing so, we aim to shed light on the needs of aging populations in Chile and the U.S., while also enabling participants to compare and contrast these contexts. Furthermore, students will delve deeper into care accessibility issues and familiarize themselves with different management strategies. Fostering such understanding will prepare our students to build a stronger, more responsive, and resilient dental care system for the benefit of our geriatric population — a testament to our commitment to inclusive and comprehensive dental care solutions.
