Master’s Degree of Lifelong Learning in Gerodontology, Special Patient and Oral Medicine (Online)
Course Objectives
This online master's degree programme aims to provide students with the knowledge they need to carry out all types of dental treatment on patients with complex medical pathologies, systemic diseases with dental repercussions, polymedicated patients, elderly patients, disabled patients, whether or not they are cooperative, as well as to know how to assess and identify all types of oral lesions, whether in the dental surgery, in closed institutions or in hospital settings. This will be accompanied by the acquisition of knowledge and skills in techniques for managing these patients, such as conscious sedation techniques in a dental surgery or in hospital settings under general anaesthesia.
Presentation
Introduction to the course
Many patients who require dental treatment are older people with systemic illnesses, which calls for accurate knowledge of the implications and interactions of these pathologies with dental health and care. These could include cardiovascular, immunological, endocrine or metabolic pathologies that must be known by the dentist in order to correctly carry out treatment in a way that is safe for both them and the patient. Furthermore, people with disabilities present complex and difficult challenges for the profession. In addition, the use of certain medications and drug interactions can lead to oral lesions, or appear as oral manifestations of underlying systemic diseases. We consider all these patients as special patients.
At present, academic learning in terms of bachelor's degree studies are limited to purely theoretical concepts and limited clinical practice with low-risk older patients. Patients that are significantly medically compromised, patients with mental disabilities and non-cooperative patients generate a pathology that bachelor’s degree students, given their lack of experience, are not able to handle easily. The techniques, materials and procedures for these patients are substantially different. They are not covered in conventional programmes and open up possibilities for further research. The recommendations by the Council of European Dentists, published in its directive of 19 November 2010, recommend the inclusion of Gerodontology in university curricula and agree with the European College of Gerodontology on the need to promote postgraduate education and lines of research in the field.
Are there master's degrees available internationally? There is no specific master's degree on Gerodontology in Spain and there is only one master's degree in Hospital Dentistry and Special Patients in Valencia and another in Seville, a master's degree at the University of Santiago on patients with systemic pathologies and an expert's degree in hospital dentistry and special patients in Oviedo.
Therefore, the shortage of trained professionals in this field and the demand coming from specialised centres and hospitals can only be addressed by master's degrees with these characteristics.
Prerequisites & admissions
Admission requirements
- Graduate degree in Dentistry.
- B1 level or similar in Spanish, which will be assessed in the personal interview.
Admission process
To start the admission process you must complete the Program Admission Form found on the University website (www.uic.es/odontologia) and follow the steps to attach the following required documentation:
- Bachelor's Degree or Bachelor's Degree*.
- Academic transcripts*
- DNI or Passport
- Curriculum Vitae
- General Conditions Document
- Letter/s of recommendation (recommended, not mandatory).
*For students from outside the European Union, both the grades and the Degree certificate must be legalized through diplomatic channels or must bear La Haya Apostille. (No homologated degree is required).
Candidates who are in their final year of studies must provide the academic transcript of grades updated to the date of registration.
Once all the documentation has been received and checked for validity, the registration fee of €90** must be paid and the receipt of payment must be sent to the following e-mail address: infodonto@uic.es (Alumni of UIC Barcelona are exempt from this payment), (**non-refundable for administration costs).
The last step is the personal interview with the directors/coordinators of the Program in which the following will be assessed: academic record, personal profile, motivations and aptitudes. The interviews will be held face-to-face or online on dates that will be confirmed once the previous steps of the process have been completed.
Grants & financial aid
Grants
According to the programme chosen, students can consult all of the grants and funding available. For more information, please ask in the relevant faculty or department.
Financial aid
UIC Barcelona holds agreements with several banks to facilitate course funding with advantageous conditions. To view the conditions, click on the link below:
Discounts
Members of UIC Alumni are entitled to a 5% discount.