The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry is a specialized qualification designed for dental professionals who wish to advance their expertise in managing the oral health needs of older adults. With ageing populations worldwide, the demand for skilled practitioners in geriatric dentistry is rapidly growing. This diploma equips learners with advanced knowledge and practical insights to address age-related dental conditions, complex treatment planning, and the integration of multidisciplinary care approaches.
This qualification is not intended for fresh candidates; it is tailored for professionals seeking to enhance their career prospects, strengthen their clinical competence, and expand their Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Through this programme, learners will gain a deeper understanding of preventative strategies, prosthodontic rehabilitation, management of medically compromised patients, and ethical considerations unique to geriatric dentistry.
Centres offering this qualification must ensure they provide high-quality delivery by employing competent and qualified staff with relevant expertise in dentistry and geriatric care. Additionally, centres must be fully equipped with appropriate resources, materials, and facilities to create an effective learning environment that supports both theoretical and practical training.
By completing the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry, learners will be better prepared to meet the evolving demands of dental practice, deliver enhanced patient care, and position themselves as specialists in an essential and growing area of oral healthcare. This diploma not only improves professional capability but also contributes significantly to lifelong learning and continuous career progression.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry
Total Units
6
Total Credits
60
GLH
240
Qualification #
LICQ2200665
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry, applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200665-1 |
Principles of Geriatric Dentistry |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200665-2 |
Oral Diseases and Age-Related Conditions |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200665-3 |
Prosthodontics and Restorative Care in Older Adults |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200665-4 |
Management of Medically Compromised and Frail Patients |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200665-5 |
Multidisciplinary Approaches and Ethical Practice |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2200665-6 |
Clinical Skills, Case Studies, and Professional Development |
10 |
40 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Principles of Geriatric Dentistry
- Understand the biological, psychological, and social aspects of ageing.
- Identify common oral health challenges faced by older adults.
- Analyse the role and responsibilities of the dental professional in geriatric care.
- Apply principles of patient-centred care in managing elderly patients.
Unit 2: Oral Diseases and Age-Related Conditions
- Recognise oral diseases commonly affecting the elderly, including periodontal disease, dental caries, xerostomia, and oral cancers.
- Evaluate preventive and therapeutic measures for age-related oral health problems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of diagnostic tools and treatment options for geriatric oral conditions.
- Assess the impact of systemic health on oral diseases in older adults.
Unit 3: Prosthodontics and Restorative Care in Older Adults
- Understand the principles of prosthodontic rehabilitation in the elderly.
- Demonstrate knowledge of fixed and removable prostheses for older patients.
- Apply restorative dentistry techniques suitable for geriatric care.
- Evaluate treatment options for edentulous and partially edentulous patients.
Unit 4: Management of Medically Compromised and Frail Patients
- Assess the needs of medically compromised elderly patients, including those with chronic diseases.
- Analyse the effects of polypharmacy on oral health and dental treatment planning.
- Apply risk management strategies when providing dental care to frail patients.
- Develop treatment plans that integrate medical, psychological, and social considerations.
Unit 5: Multidisciplinary Approaches and Ethical Practice
- Understand the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in geriatric oral healthcare.
- Apply ethical principles and legal frameworks relevant to the treatment of older patients.
- Analyse consent, autonomy, and decision-making issues in geriatric dentistry.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
Unit 6: Clinical Skills, Case Studies, and Professional Development
- Apply practical clinical skills in managing geriatric dental cases.
- Critically evaluate case studies to enhance decision-making in complex scenarios.
- Reflect on professional practice to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
- Demonstrate commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in geriatric dentistry.
This qualification is ideal for:
- Qualified Dentists seeking to specialise in geriatric dentistry and enhance their ability to manage complex age-related dental conditions.
- Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists who wish to broaden their scope of practice in caring for elderly patients.
- Prosthodontic and Restorative Specialists aiming to refine their knowledge in providing effective dental rehabilitation for older adults.
- Healthcare Professionals in Geriatric Care who collaborate with dental teams and want to understand the oral health needs of ageing populations.
- Practitioners committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and lifelong learning in dentistry.
- Dental Educators and Trainers looking to update their expertise in geriatric oral healthcare to support learners and junior colleagues.
By enrolling in this diploma, learners can improve their clinical competence, expand their professional profile, and meet the increasing demand for dental practitioners who can deliver safe, ethical, and patient-centred care to older adults.
Centres wishing to deliver the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry must meet specific quality and resource requirements to ensure effective training and successful learner outcomes. These requirements are designed to maintain high educational standards and support both theoretical and practical learning.
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ experienced trainers, assessors, and internal quality assurers with appropriate qualifications and professional expertise in dentistry and geriatric care.
- Adequate Learning Resources: Centres must provide learners with access to up-to-date learning materials, reference texts, digital resources, and clinical case studies relevant to geriatric dentistry.
- Clinical Facilities and Equipment: Suitable facilities must be available, including access to dental chairs, instruments, prosthodontic materials, and simulation or clinical practice settings where required.
- Quality Assurance Systems: Centres must implement effective internal verification and quality assurance processes to ensure consistent assessment and compliance with LICQual standards.
- Support for Learners: Guidance and academic support must be available to assist learners in completing the course successfully, including access to tutors and study support resources.
- Commitment to CPD: Trainers and staff delivering the qualification must demonstrate a strong commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to ensure the highest standards of delivery.
- Technology and Accessibility: Centres should provide access to online learning platforms or blended learning solutions, ensuring learners can engage flexibly with course content.
- Compliance with Ethical and Legal Standards: All training and assessment must align with professional codes of practice, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements in dentistry.
By meeting these centre requirements, training providers can deliver a high-quality learning experience that equips dental professionals with the knowledge and skills to excel in the specialized field of geriatric dentistry.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
