Yogyakarta – Wednesday (04/10), the Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities Faculty of Medicine Public Health and Nursing UGM, in collaboration with the Master on Bioethics Program UGM and UNESCO Chair on Bioethics UGM, hosted a Raboan Discussion Forum which raised a topic “Empowering Elderly: Fresh Insights Into Aging And Geriatric Dentistry”. The online forum featured speakers from the International Medical University (IMU) Malaysia: Dr. Naveen Chhabra, Dr. Kirti Saxena, and Dr. Sivakumar Arunachalam. Moderating the insightful discussions was drg. Agnes B Pratiwi, MPH.
Dr. Naveen Chhabra commenced the session with his presentation titled “Empowering Elderly: Fresh Insights into Aging and Geriatric Dentistry.” Dr. Chhabra elaborated on the unique challenges posed by geriatric patients, ranging from debilitating diseases to mental health conditions, emphasizing the need for compassionate and empathetic care. He underscored the significance of interprofessional education experiences in preparing future dental professionals for the complexities of geriatric dentistry, thereby enhancing outcomes for society’s most vulnerable members.
Following Dr. Chhabra’s discourse, Dr. Kirti Saxena elucidated on “Inter-professional Collaboration in Geriatric Dental Health Care.” Dr. Saxena emphasized the benefits of collaborative practices in healthcare, highlighting how the synergy among healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers leads to comprehensive and superior care delivery across diverse settings. Collaboration, she noted, enables healthcare providers to achieve more collectively, serve larger populations, and foster growth in the field of geriatric dentistry.
Concluding the webinar, Dr. Sivakumar Arunachalam delved into the paramount importance of empathy in “Geriatric Dental Care.” Dr. Arunachalam emphasized empathy and compassion as indispensable qualities in caring for geriatric dental patients, citing their profound impact on patient experience and overall well-being. He outlined critical parameters influenced by empathy, including enhanced patient comfort, improved communication, trust-building, respect for dignity, and tailored treatment approaches, ultimately fostering enduring patient-provider relationships.
The webinar garnered significant attention from healthcare professionals, academicians, and stakeholders alike, underscoring the growing importance of addressing the dental needs of the elderly population. By fostering collaboration, empathy, and innovative approaches, the webinar reinforced the commitment to empower the elderly through enhanced geriatric dental care practices.
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