| CODE | ORC5140 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Gerontology Perspectives for Dentistry | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Oral Rehabilitation and Community Care | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Interest in the study of human ageing has grown steadily following demographic forecast. The study-unit focuses on equipping the student with analytic tools, knowledge and ability in implementation of initiatives in both the fields of Geriatrics and Gerontology. The study-unit utilises the knowledge acquired through other study units in the course, personal experience and taught knowledge to allow the student to participate interactively in a classroom setting. The student is given the opportunity to research independently with classroom guidelines. The student will have the opportunity to visit a long term residential setting whereby he /she will have the opportunity to experience at first hand the role of the interdisciplinary team. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit offers dentistry students both Gerontological and Geriatric topics so as to view ageing as a font of both challenges as well as opportunities in community and residential care. The importance of oral health as part of active ageing policies is emphasised. Through the knowledge of ageing in place, age friendly measures and active ageing policies the aim of the study unit is to determine the importance of good oral health both within the community and in residential care. The study-unit provides an opportunity for the students to start developing an inter-disciplinary perspective towards ageing care. Students will gain an excellent understanding on the bio-psychosocial process of ageing as well as how policies and services for older people are developed, organised and run. Students will also be able to creatively think on how as dentists they can contribute to improving service quality in ageing care. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Evaluate active ageing through the knowledge of the active ageing theory and disengagement theory; - Evaluate the WHO active ageing policy; - Evaluate the Active Ageing Policy Malta including social participation and independent living; - Recognise relevant policy and service issues related to ageing in Malta; - Explain demographic trends of population ageing; - Determine the relevance of ageing in place; - Recognise the fields of age-friendliness in a community; - Apply a knowledge of the manifestations of the ageing process; - Apply the role of the interdisciplinary team in the care of the older adult; - Evaluate the potential of community care and primary health care of the older adult; - Develop knowledge of ethical principles when evaluating social and health care practices. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Develop sound professional judgment in the field of ageing; - Evaluate policy strategies both in the community as well as in long term care; - Participate in decision making at micro level; - Evaluate the various roles of different health care professionals within the interdisciplinary team. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Formosa, M. (2015) Ageing and later life in Malta: issues, policies and future trends. (1st Ed). Malta: BDL. - Caro, F., and Fitzgerald, G. International perspectives in age-friendly cities. (1st Ed). New York: Routledge. - Bond, J., Coleman, P. and Peace, S. (1990) Ageing in society: an introduction to social gerontology. (2nd Ed). Great Britain: Sage. Supplementary readings : - Moulaert, T. and Garon, S. (2016). Age-friendly cities and communities in international comparison. (1st Ed). London: Springer. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: Degree in Dental Surgery/ Dental Hygiene and Technology | ||||||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Fieldwork and Independent Study | ||||||||||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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