Geriatrics curricular reforms in oral health education: an interprofessional approach

The global shift toward an aging population requires a major change in oral health education. Traditional dental programs often fall short in meeting the complex needs of older patients. This can result in scattered care and poor health results. This paper advocates for incorporating Interprofessional Education (IPE) into geriatric oral health training. By combining evidence from the WHO-World Health Organization Framework for Action, research on the connection between oral and systemic health, and educational models from various countries, this paper presents a skills-based plan for changing the curriculum. It argues that interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) is essential not just for improving education but also for ensuring fair access to health services. The paper outlines a curriculum framework based on the "4Ms" of Age-Friendly Health Systems. It offers strategies for implementation, including high-fidelity simulation and task-shifting in places with limited resources. It also suggests solid evaluation methods based on the Kirkpatrick model which organizes impact into four levels: learners' immediate reactions, gains in knowledge and skills, changes in behavior in real practice, and measurable effects on patient or system outcomes. Ultimately, it calls for a move from simply working together across disciplines to real collaboration to address the growing challenges of an aging population.