The professional Certificate in Geriatric and Special Needs Dentistry requires at least 40 s.h. Students must earn a minimum grade of C in each course. The program requires a minimum of one year of full-time study. It prepares dentists to evaluate and manage the oral health problems of older adults across the spectrum of geriatric health care services as well as adults with special needs. It also prepares professionals for scholastic positions in geriatric education. Successful graduates meet the educational requirements for eligibility to take the fellowship examination of the Special Care Dentistry Association.
Certificate students have opportunities to collaborate with medical residents and other allied health care professionals in providing a holistic approach to care of patients whose dental and medical needs are complex. They gain experience in the College of Dentistry's patient care clinics and Geriatric Mobile Dental Unit, at St. Luke's Hospital (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), and at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.
Highlights of the curriculum include advanced clinical geriatric and special needs dentistry, interdisciplinary geriatric patient assessment, geriatric dentistry case studies, outreach, and teaching practicum.
The Certificate in Geriatric and Special Needs Dentistry requires the following work.
First Summer
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| GSND:5700 | Advanced Clinical Geriatric Dentistry I | 0,4 |
First Fall
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| GSND:5702 | Advanced Clinical Geriatric Dentistry II | 0,4 |
| GSND:5720 | Outreach/Advanced Clinical Geriatric Dentistry I | 0,3 |
| GSND:5730 | Interdisciplinary Geriatric Patient Assessment I | 0,2 |
| GSND:5740 | Advanced Topics in Geriatric Dentistry and Special Needs I | 0,2 |
| GSND:5750 | Geriatric Dental Case Study Seminar I | 0,2 |
| GSND:5770 | Advanced Clinical Training for Developmentally Disabled Adults I | 0,2 |
First Spring
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| GSND:5703 | Advanced Clinical Geriatric Dentistry III | 0,4 |
| GSND:5721 | Outreach/Advanced Clinical Geriatric Dentistry II | 0,3 |
| GSND:5731 | Interdisciplinary Geriatric Patient Assessment II | 0,2 |
| GSND:5742 | Advanced Topics in Geriatric Dentistry and Special Needs II | 0,2 |
| GSND:5751 | Geriatric Dental Case Study Seminar II | 0,2 |
| GSND:5760 | Teaching Practicum in Geriatric Dentistry I | 0,2 |
| GSND:5771 | Advanced Clinical Training for Developmentally Disabled Adults II | 0,2 |
Second Summer
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| GSND:5704 | Advanced Clinical Geriatric Dentistry IV | 0,4 |
Applicants must hold a DDS or DMD degree from an accredited dental school. International students should have at least three years of experience and/or postgraduate prosthodontics training and be licensed dentists. All applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. Contact the Geriatric and Special Needs Dentistry Certificate Program to learn more.