The Master of Science in Geriatric Dentistry online program consists of 30.5 units of course work delivered online and in person leading to a master’s degree in geriatric dentistry. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to work in geriatric dentistry. The program consists of a series of didactic courses in which the students will gain in-depth knowledge about older adults from a variety of perspectives that will include learning about the aging process and how it affects and is affected by social, behavioral, and health factors commonly seen with aging. The program will focus on the most common medical and oral health conditions seen in older adults including oral lesions and orofacial pain conditions and their treatments, as well as cognitive changes, mental disorders, and social factors that will impact and thus require adjustments to oral health care delivery.
During the year, the students will attend weekly video conferences where they will discuss the care of older adults using composite patient case scenarios, during which the patient’s presentation including their detailed oral presentation as well as their medical, pharmacologic, and psychologic profiles and social status are taken into consideration in determining treatment modifications.
All master’s students must choose and finish a capstone project and 18 portfolio cases during the program duration. The students will attend USC for 8-10 days during two summer trimesters for knowledge assessment courses. As part of the graduation requirements, the students must successfully defend their capstone projects and portfolio cases during their last summer term and pass all the courses with a grade point average of 3.0 or more.
You must be logged in to post a comment.