Gerodonti - ett nordiskt perspektiv på utbildning, organisation och finansiering

Geriatric dentistry – a Nordic perspective on education, organisation and economics
Geriatric dentistry is a young discipline. It has developed in respond to the increase in the older sections of the dentate geriatric population, and with it consequently also the need of special knowledge and skills to take care of the elderly’s oral health. The discipline has not yet been established within the dental profession’s educational or organisational systems, nor have the economics of this aspect of the demography been worked out. Even within countries education varies between universities and the organisation and funding of geriatric dentistry between different regions. The target group of elders is an increasing proportion of society and dental patients, and the article focuses on the most relevant societal odontological aspects of the dicipline. Elders are a heterogeneous group that comprises healthy adults through to dependent residents in nursing homes.This presents many challenges and not just in respect of theoretical knowledge and clinical skills. To secure a good oral health throughout life effective care systems and financial support are also neccessary.