A DENTAL CURRICULUM WITH CONCERN FOR AGING ADULTS-PART II: COMPLETE DENTURE THERAPY

This article discusses the present and projected need for complete denture treatment by the senior citizens of the United States and the State of Florida. It describes innovative aspects of the complete denture curriculum at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. Students accomplish all necessary procedures for patients in need of complete dentures without exposure to a traditional preclinical laboratory course simulating these same procedures. This permits more efficient use of curriculum time and affords more opportunities for student interaction with the aged edentulous (toothless) patient. The college's self-paced modular curriculum is discussed as is the use of competency-based clinical behavioral objectives. An interdisciplinary approach is used in both didactic instruction and Clinical evaluation of patient management skills for the aging complete denture patient.