The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine is launching a geriatric dental medicine fellowship program.
The program aims to prepare dentists to treat and provide oral healthcare to older adults, according to a July 23 news release from the school.
The curriculum for the program includes advanced clinical geriatric and special needs dentistry, interprofessional care coordination, studies in gerontology, dental public health considerations for vulnerable older adult populations, community outreach and a capstone project in an area of their interest related to gerontological research.
Elena Ciobanu, DDS, was selected as the inaugural fellow of the program.
The number of residents in Colorado who are over the age of 65 is projected to double to 1.7 million individuals by 2050, creating the need for the program, the release said.