Self-assessment of competency in geriatric dentistry.

Senior dental students' self-assessed competence in treating geriatric patients was evaluated before and after a four-week experience on a Geriatric Mobile Dental Program using an evaluation instrument designed to assess this program. Mean pre- and posttest scores for seven specific aspects of providing dental care to geriatric patients were analyzed using t-tests and analysis of covariance. The dental students report feeling significantly more competent in treating geriatric dental patients at the end of their four-week geriatric experience in this program.