Overview

The Geriatric Dental Medicine Fellowship is a full-time 12-month graduate certificate program that utilizes a combination of didactic learning, clinical education and teaching, and community-based experiential learning. Training provides Fellows with a range of experiences across diverse populations and settings that includes the dental school’s Senior and Special Care Clinic, CU Health Hospital and Senior Clinics, long-term care and senior residential communities, and with other community partners that provide oral health care to large numbers of older adults.

Fellows' learning experiences will focus on a holistic health approach that includes:

1. Advanced clinical geriatric dentistry;
2. Interprofessional geriatric patient assessment and care coordination;
3. Studies in gerontology with an emphasis on the physical, mental, and social aspects and implications of aging;
4. Dental public health considerations for vulnerable older adult populations;
5. Community outreach.

Admission Requirements

This training program will accept 1-2 applicants every year based upon available positions and funding support. The ideal applicant would be able to demonstrate: 

1. A strong interest in special care dentistry;
2. A record of service activities and/or community health volunteerism;
3. Very good academic dental credentials;
4. A compelling personal essay;
5. Provide two excellent letters of recommendation.

Applicants should have a DDS or DMD degree from an accredited dental school in the United States or Canada prior to the start of the Fellowship. Individuals interested in this training program who have an international dental degree may be eligible to apply to the program and should contact the program office for additional information.

Interested applicants should contact Ms. Amy Schmidt (AMY.S.SCHMIDT@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU) to request an application package and instructions for submission of required materials.

Curriculum

Certificate Requirements

The Geriatric Dental Medicine Fellowship certificate equates to 22 graduate credit hours. Over the course of 12 months, Fellows' time is approximately allocated in the following areas:

• 75% in clinical-related sessions
• 25% in didactic, research, and teaching related activities.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
DGER 8001	Advanced Clinical Geriatric Dentistry 1	0.5-5
DGER 8002	Advanced Clinical Geriatric Dentistry 2	0.5-5
DGER 8003	Advanced Clinical Geriatric Dentistry 3	0.5-5
DGER 8004	Advanced Clinical Geriatric Dentistry 4	0.5-5
DGER 8011	Critical Topics & Case Study in Gerontology and Geriatric Dentistry 1	0.5-5
DGER 8012	Critical Topics & Case Study in Gerontology and Geriatric Dentistry 2	0.5-5
DGER 8013	Critical Topics & Case Study in Gerontology and Geriatric Dentistry 3	0.5-5
DGER 8021	Interprofessional Collaboration and Care Coordination in Geriatrics 1	0.5-5
DGER 8022	Interprofessional Collaboration and Care Coordination in Geriatrics 2	0.5-5
DGER 8031	Geriatrics & Community Dentistry 1	0.5-5
DGER 8032	Geriatrics & Community Dentistry 2	0.5-5
DGER 8911	Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning	0.5-5
DGER 8912	Clinical Teaching and Learning	0.5-5
DGER 8913	Geriatric Dental Medicine Capstone	0.5-5

Certificate Requirements

Fellows must:

1. Successfully complete all required courses;
2. Attend community-based learning activities, seminars, and clinical sessions;
3. Successfully demonstrate clinical proficiency in geriatric dentistry;
4. Be a student member in the Special Care Dentistry Association.

Fellows satisfactorily completing all program requirements will earn a graduate certificate.

Because advanced dental education in geriatrics is not a recognized dental specialty, the program will not be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). However, Fellows successfully completing the training program will meet the Part 2 educational criteria for attaining Fellowship status in the Special Care Dentistry Association.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. To gain experiential knowledge to competently deliver oral health services to older adults living independently, in residential or long-term care facilities, or in palliative care.
2. To acquire an in-depth understanding of the changing medical and mental health needs of older adults and how oral health is connected to healthy aging.
3. To recognize elder abuse and increase awareness of the challenges institutionalized and frail older adults experience with access to health care and oral health services.
4. To gain experiential knowledge in care coordination and interprofessional collaboration with other care providers to improve health outcomes and quality of life for older adult patients.