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.
The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Geriatric Dentistry is designed for dental professionals, clinicians, and oral healthcare practitioners who want to specialize in providing high-quality dental care for older adults. This course is ideal for those seeking advanced knowledge, practical skills, and internationally recognized credentials in geriatric dentistry. Whether you are a practicing dentist, a dental hygienist, or an early-career clinician, this program equips you with the expertise to meet the unique oral healthcare needs of the elderly population effectively.
1. Practicing Dentists Seeking Specialization in Geriatric Dentistry
- Designed for licensed dentists aiming to enhance expertise in elderly patient care.
- Provides training in managing age-related oral conditions and complexities.
- Strengthens skills in preventive care, prosthodontics, and periodontal management.
- Improves patient assessment and treatment planning for older adults.
- Offers internationally recognized credentials to boost professional credibility.
2. Dental Hygienists and Oral Health Practitioners
- Ideal for dental hygienists aiming to specialize in geriatric oral care.
- Focuses on advanced preventive and therapeutic techniques for elderly patients.
- Enhances skills in oral hygiene management and patient education.
- Builds confidence in handling patients with multiple health conditions.
- Supports professional growth in elder-focused dental care roles.
3. Early-Career Dental Graduates
- Suitable for recent BDS, DDS, or equivalent graduates seeking specialization.
- Provides foundational knowledge in geriatric oral healthcare.
- Prepares learners for advanced clinical roles or postgraduate studies.
- Encourages evidence-based practice and patient-centered approaches.
- Increases employability in both private and public dental healthcare sectors.
4. International Dental Professionals
- Tailored for dental practitioners seeking UK-accredited geriatric dentistry qualifications.
- Offers flexible online learning for accessibility worldwide.
- Aligns with international standards for elderly patient care.
- Enhances global recognition and career mobility in dental practice.
- Provides practical insights into complex cases in geriatric dentistry.
5. Dental Educators and Academic Professionals
- Designed for lecturers and clinical trainers updating geriatric care curriculum.
- Incorporates evidence-based techniques in elderly patient treatment.
- Supports academic leadership and research in geriatric dentistry.
- Enhances credibility as an expert in elder oral healthcare education.
- Provides opportunities for case study publications and research contributions.
6. Clinic Owners and Practice Managers
- Helps dental practice owners expand services for elderly patients.
- Provides strategies to manage patient care efficiently and safely.
- Strengthens team supervision and clinical workflow in geriatric dentistry.
- Enhances patient satisfaction through advanced treatment planning.
- Supports practice growth and reputation in specialized dental care.
7. Career-Oriented Dental Professionals Seeking Recognition
- Ideal for professionals aiming for internationally recognized geriatric dentistry credentials.
- Enhances clinical expertise and professional credibility in elder oral healthcare.
- Opens pathways to advanced clinical, academic, or consultancy roles globally.
- Provides a career-boosting foundation in specialized dental care.
- Equips professionals to excel in multidisciplinary healthcare environments.
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.
