Resumen

FERNANDEZ, Enrique; PADILLA, Paula  y  DIAZ, Carlos. Gerontology in the pre doctoral academic training at the 21^th century. Rev. Clin. Periodoncia Implantol. Rehabil. Oral [online]. 2019, vol.12, n.3, pp.131-134. ISSN 0719-0107.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0719-01072019000300131.

Gerontology is the science studying ageing and the phenomena that characterize it. It deals with the scientific approach of this process encompassing the social, psychological and biological fields. The current phenomenon of the ageing of the world population, so called “demographic transition” has put the gerontological issue in pressing today. Within its conceptual frame and in the sphere of medical sciences emerges Geriatrics, specialty covering not only prevention and care of older people diseases, but also addressing its functional recovery and reintegration into the community. In Chile, not yet a specialty, geriatric dentistry would be its equivalent regarding odontology. However, we believe that there is a conceptual difference regarding gerodontology since we appreciate its scope goes far beyond the procedural aspects of dentistry. We will make our statement, analyzing evidence from international educational experiences, as well as contrasting with the situation that occurs in Chile, altogether stressing the urgent need to start from the undergraduate curriculum of future dentists through the delivery of theoretical input and clinical gerodontologic training, in order to collaborate in a proactive way in the design of updated public policies according to the nowadays challenges.

Palabras clave : Gerodontology; Geriatric dentistry; Dental education; Undergraduate dental curriculum.

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