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.