Discussing elder abuse and neglect in undergraduate dental education: a commentary

Abstract

The intra- and extra-oral signs of physical abuse and neglect can appear visible to a dental professional during routine care. Yet, little is known about the existing pedagogies employed to discuss elder abuse and neglect in undergraduate dental education and the level of knowledge undergraduate dental students have about elder abuse and neglect. The purpose of this commentary is to present a literature review exploring how the subject of elder abuse and neglect is taught in dental schools and to discuss the results of a brief knowledge-based questionnaire focused on elder abuse and neglect applied to Canadian undergraduate dental students.