Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of British Columbia's Faculty of Dentistry offers a comprehensive program in Geriatric Dentistry. This program is designed to provide practical, up-to-date, and clinically relevant information in Geriatric Dentistry.

Program Details

The program includes two lectures and a glass ionomer workshop at UBC on Saturday and Sunday, and a half day on Monday observing clinical activity in a dental clinic located within a long-term care facility in downtown Vancouver. Participants have the option to register for the three-day program or the two-day program.

UBC Faculty

• Dr. Nicholas Tong, BHSc, DDS, MSc
• Dr. Chris Wyatt, BSc, DMD, Dip Pros

Topics

• Key concepts in geriatric medicine and its relevance to dentistry and oral health, frailty and its impact on oral health
• Frailty and its impact on oral health
• Medical risk assessment in older adults
• Dementia Friendly Dentistry
• Rational treatment planning
• Rapid oral health deterioration framework
• Management of common ethical and legal issues (informed consent, Medical Order for Scope of Treatment, Advance Directives, Goals of Care)
• Oral effects of drug therapy, medication management, and avoiding drug-related complications. Safe prescribing for older adults
• Root Caries management
• Difficult extraction of fractured teeth
• Oral mucosal lesions in older adults
• Preventive dental care for older adults
• Patient management tips to improve access to care, communication, and patient comfort
• Recognition and management of elder abuse
  eglect
• Managing difficult patient behaviours, including biological and psychological symptoms of dementia
• Safe patient transfer techniques, including wheelchair transfers
• Designing and delivering dental services for long-term care facility residents such as; understanding the LTC system and different care settings, dental regulations in LTC, designing an effective dental program (staffing, clinical delivery models, equipment), contracts and financial management, quality assurance and program evaluation, integrating

Location

The program will be held at UBC for lectures and hands-on sessions, and a long-term care facility in downtown Vancouver for clinical observation.

Waitlist

The waitlist for the Geriatric Dentistry Fall 2026 program is now open. This is an expression of interest to be on the waitlist and is not a confirmation that you are registered in the course.