Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry
Overview
The Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry (DGD) is a two-year postgraduate training program accredited by the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization (KIMS). The program is designed to equip dental professionals with the knowledge, clinical skills, and professional competencies required to provide comprehensive oral healthcare for adults aged 65 years and above.
The program emphasizes the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of oral health conditions in older adults, particularly those with complex medical conditions, polypharmacy, cognitive impairment, frailty, and functional limitations.
The program also promotes professional development, leadership, research, and quality improvement to support the growing oral healthcare needs of Kuwait’s aging population.
The program further aims to strengthen primary healthcare services by preparing dentists to provide domiciliary dental care, including home visits for bedridden and homebound older adults who are unable to attend dental clinics. This will improve access to essential oral healthcare services, promote continuity of care, and support the oral health and overall well-being of functionally dependent older adults.
The Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry has been developed to bridge the gap between general dental practice and the specialized, interdisciplinary care required for older adults. Through an integrated approach combining theoretical education, supervised clinical training, and competency-based assessment, the program prepares dentists to address the complex oral healthcare needs of older adults while promoting patient safety, functional well-being, dignity, and quality of life.
Mission
To prepare competent and compassionate dental professionals capable of delivering comprehensive, evidence-based, and patient-centered oral healthcare to older adults through advanced clinical training, interdisciplinary collaboration, continuous professional development, and a commitment to improving the quality of geriatric dental services in Kuwait.
Vision
To be a leading postgraduate training program in geriatric dentistry, recognized for excellence in clinical education, interdisciplinary care, and innovation, while advancing the quality and accessibility of oral healthcare for older adults in Kuwait.
Aim
The two-year Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry (DGD) aims to prepare dental professionals to provide comprehensive, safe, patient-centered, and evidence-based oral healthcare for adults aged 65 years and above across a range of clinical and community settings.
The program develops the clinical knowledge, practical skills, and professional competencies necessary to assess and manage the complex oral healthcare needs of older adults, including those who are medically compromised, frail, cognitively impaired, or functionally dependent.
It also aims to strengthen communication, ethical decision-making, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration, enabling graduates to coordinate care effectively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams and contribute to education, research, quality improvement, and the advancement of geriatric oral healthcare services.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of the Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry (DGD), graduates will be able to:
1. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment: Assess the oral, medical, cognitive, functional, and psychosocial needs of older adults to guide clinical decision-making.
2. Clinical Diagnosis and Management: Diagnose, prevent, and manage common oral diseases and age-related dental conditions using evidence-based approaches.
3. Individualized Treatment Planning: Develop and implement patient-centered treatment plans tailored to each patient’s medical status, functional abilities, and individual needs.
4. Management of Medically Complex Patients: Provide safe dental care for older adults with multiple systemic diseases, polypharmacy, frailty, and cognitive or functional impairments.
5. Patient Safety and Emergency Management: Identify and manage medical and dental emergencies using appropriate clinical protocols and referral pathways.
6. Interprofessional Collaboration: Coordinate comprehensive oral healthcare with medical professionals, caregivers, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
7. Communication and Ethical Practice: Communicate effectively with patients, families, and caregivers while applying ethical principles, informed consent, and professional standards.
8. Care Across Healthcare Settings: Deliver appropriate dental care in specialized dental centers, primary healthcare facilities, and domiciliary settings, including home visits for bedridden and homebound older adults.
9. Leadership and Education: Demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and educational skills to support the delivery and development of geriatric dental services.
10. Research and Quality Improvement: Apply evidence-based principles and participate in research, clinical audits, and quality improvement activities to enhance geriatric oral healthcare.
Location
The Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry (DGD) will be conducted at Farwaniya Specialized Dental Center and primary healthcare centers.
Clinical training will include supervised experience in specialized dental care, primary healthcare, geriatric medicine departments in hospitals, and domiciliary dental care, including home visits for bedridden and homebound older adults, in accordance with the program’s educational objectives and training requirements.
Our Team
Dr. Nour Alhassan
Program Director
Dr. Farah Alsharhan
Assistant Program Director
Dr. Dalal Alomar
Faculty member
Dr. Bedoor Alsaqer
Faculty member
Dr. Dalal Boodai
Faculty member