Moving towards a competency-based curriculum: Information analysis of patients in geriatric and special care dentistry

Abstract Background: There is no core competency for geriatric dentistry and special patient care (GSP) in Thailand. Therefore, the present GSP program was initially developed as a knowledge-based curriculum. The objectives of this study were to improve the present GSP program by analysing information of the patients attending the GSP clinic, and the proposed future GSP curriculum is discussed.Methods: The GSP curriculum used in 2016–2019 was reviewed. Information of the 130 patients attending the GSP clinic, and those who participated a maintenance recall was analysed. The patients were invited to participate a maintenance recall visit to have their general health and oral conditions reassessed.Results: Only 50% of the patients attended a maintenance recall to be assessed for their oral and general health. A model of the future curriculum was developed based on the patients’ information. The content descriptions and learning methods of the present GSP curriculum need modification. The oral health care for elderly and special care patients requires more extensive collaboration with multiple health professions. The program has to include more learning sites for students to gain more experience and skills, especially in managing dependent and frail elders. Conclusions: Information analysis of the targeted patients is essential to improve and transform a knowledge-based curriculum for geriatric and special patient care dentistry into a competency-based curriculum. The GSP curriculum are present as a model for other institutions to develop their own curriculum related to the oral health care of geriatric and special care patients. Oral health care in elderly and special care patients should encompass not only oral disease problems, but also behavior and social context.