To plan integrated oral care, the clinician should have an overall understanding of the commonly presenting conditions and other treatment needs that may be important in delivering better patient care and for achieving a successful treatment outcome. The students learn to comprehensively manage a patient, considering all medical, dental, and financial aspects, liaising with other healthcare professionals when necessary.
Although Sri Lanka is a developing country, thanks to the strong healthcare system accessible to every citizen for free, our country shows a similar pattern of aging to a developed country, which implies healthcare must cater more to elderly as the proportion of elderly in the population is rising. Geriatric Dentistry is a timely need henceforth. This Department was established to nourish young dental students with the knowledge and skills required in managing geriatric patients, envisaging years ahead.
Academic Staff Members
Prof. Priyake Palipana
Professor in Restorative Dentistry and Acting Head
BDS (Peradeniya), MS (Col), FRACDS (Australia)
Department of Comprehensive and Geriatric Dentistry
priyakepalipana@sjp.ac.lk