An evaluation of the geriatric dental curricula within Advanced Education in General Dentistry and General Practice Residency programs in the United States.

AIM To compare the geriatric dentistry curricula between Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) and General Practice Residency (GPR) programs. METHODS A 108-item survey was developed to assess residents' didactic and clinical experiences pertaining to geriatric patients. Surveys were mailed in 2018 to all AEGD (N = 89) and GPR (N = 180) program directors. Statistical analysis consisted of descriptive and bivariate analyses with the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and the Wilcoxon rank sum test (alpha = .05). RESULTS Twenty-four AEGD and fifty-eight GPR directors completed surveys (response rate = 30%). Seventy-one percent of responding programs reported mandatory didactic training pertaining to frail and functionally dependent geriatric adults. Ninety-nine percent of respondents reported that residents provided treatment to geriatric patients; however, they were less likely to perform procedures on frail and functionally dependent patients. Only 15% of respondents provided nursing home care. Considering all patient encounters, responding GPR programs were more likely than AEGD programs to treat patients using IV bisphosphonates (63% vs 25%; P < .01), undergoing chemotherapy (48% vs 16%; P = .02), and undergoing head and neck radiation therapy (55% vs 25%; P = .02). CONCLUSION A majority of responding AEGD and GPR programs reported providing educational experiences pertaining to geriatric patients; however, GPR programs reported treating more medically complex patients than AEGD programs.