Undergraduate Geriatric Dentistry Education in Thailand: A Survey Study

Thailand is experiencing rapid demographic aging and currently ranks third globally in population aging. Despite national initiatives such as the National Oral Health Plan for Senior Citizens (2015-2022), variability persists in undergraduate geriatric dentistry education across Thai dental schools. This study surveyed current curricular practices and clinical training opportunities in geriatric dentistry across Thai dental schools.

A structured questionnaire was developed and distributed electronically to all 18 accredited dental schools in Thailand. The questionnaire collected information on institutional characteristics and details on geriatric dentistry curricula, including topics such as teaching methods, clinical training and funding sources. Responses were collected using the Qualtrics software platform. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Thammasat University Ethics Board.

Twelve dental schools completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 66.7%. All responding institutions included geriatric dentistry in their undergraduate curricula, though the methods of delivery varied considerably. Approximately 66.7% offered dedicated didactic courses, whereas the remainder integrated geriatric topics within broader coursework. The most commonly taught topics included oral tissue changes associated with aging, drug-induced dental diseases and systemic medical problems. However, topics such as the restorative management of older adults with psychological or neurological conditions were less frequently included. Most of the schools reported delivering clinical exposure for their students; however, these activities ranged from annual oral health screenings to compulsory clinical rotations at remote or primary care units or nursing homes.

Thai dental schools widely recognise the importance of geriatric dentistry education; however, the extent and depth of curricular implementation vary considerably. Establishing standardised national guidelines and expanding clinical training opportunities are essential to adequately prepare future dental professionals to meet the complex oral health needs of older adults.