As our population ages at an unprecedented rate, the field of geriatric dentistry stands at a critical juncture. The percentage and number of persons 65 years and older is increasing, becoming a larger proportion of the total U.S. population.¹ This demographic shift isn’t just changing the landscape of dental practice—it’s revolutionizing how we educate the next generation of oral healthcare providers.
For residents pursuing certificates or advanced degrees in geriatric dentistry, case reports aren’t merely academic exercises—they’re the foundation upon which exceptional patient care is built and scientific knowledge advances.
The Case Report Imperative: Bridging Practice and Science
Case reports serve a unique dual purpose in geriatric dentistry education. They cultivate critical thinking skills essential for managing complex, multifaceted health needs of older adults while advancing scientific understanding of how aging affects oral health. When residents engage in case report research, they transform from passive learners into active contributors to the field’s knowledge base.
In geriatric dentistry, case reports are particularly valuable because older adults often present with complex, multifactorial conditions that don’t fit neatly into standardized research protocols.2 A single case report documenting an unusual drug reaction, an innovative surgical technique for a medically compromised patient, or a novel approach to managing treatment-resistant salivary hypofunction can spark important research questions and inform clinical practice globally.
Like what you’re learning? Download a brochure for our Geriatric Dentistry Master Program certificate or master’s degree program.
Real-World Impact: Case Reports in Action
Two recent case reports illustrate the diversity and impact of this research approach:
Case Report 1: Seki K, Namaki S, Kamimoto A, Hagiwara Y. Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Subsequent to Peri-Implantitis: A Case Report and Literature Review. J Oral Implantol. 2021 Dec 1;47(6):502-510.3
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a severe condition affecting the jawbone that can develop as a side effect of medications, commonly antiresorptive agents used to treat osteoporosis or certain cancers – conditions frequently present in older adults. This is a case report describing a rare case of MRONJ that developed around already osseointegrated implants in the maxillary right molar region of a 73-year-old woman; it emphasizes the importance of proper maintenance of implants in patients taking bisphosphonates.
Case Report 2: Arroyo Bote S, Bennasar Verges C, Ribas-Perez D, Rodriguez Menacho D, Villalva Hernandez-Franch P, Barbero Navarro I, Castaño Séiquer A. Complications Arising from Dental Trauma Incurred from Falls Involving Geriatric Patients: A Case Report. Diagnostics. 2023; 13(19):3021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ 4
This case report describes the experience of a 79-year-old woman who sustained dental trauma following a fall. The report highlights the importance of thorough diagnosis and interdisciplinary treatment of geriatric patients who experience dental injuries due to falls. It also underscores the need for dental professionals to be aware of the increased risk of falls in the elderly population and to incorporate this awareness into their practices.
Both reports exemplify how case report research addresses real clinical problems while contributing valuable knowledge to the broader healthcare community.
The Educational Value of Case Report Research
Critical Thinking Development
Case reports incorporated into educational programs challenge residents to analyze complex clinical presentations, synthesize multiple factors, and draw evidence-based conclusions.5 These skills prove invaluable when treating older adults with multiple comorbidities and complex medication regimens.
Literature Literacy: The Foundation of Evidence-Based Practice
Writing case reports develops the ability to critically evaluate published literature, distinguishing between high-quality evidence and questionable findings. For clinicians of all specialties, the ability to read, interpret, and critically appraise literature is a professional imperative.⁴ The volume of published research continues to expand exponentially, with thousands of new studies published monthly across dental and medical journals.
The process of conducting case report research teaches residents to ask critical questions: What was the study design? How was the sample selected? Were confounding variables controlled? What are the limitations of the findings? How do these results apply to my patient population? These analytical skills become invaluable when reviewing literature to inform treatment decisions.
Accessible Research Methodology
Unlike randomized controlled trials that require extensive resources and time, case reports emerge directly from clinical practice. That unusual presentation of oral lichen planus in a patient with multiple autoimmune conditions, the unexpected success of a modified treatment protocol in a nursing home resident, or the innovative management of a complex implant case in a patient with severe osteoporosis—these clinical experiences become valuable contributions to literature when properly documented and analyzed.
Communication Skills Enhancement
Preparing case reports for publication develops scientific writing abilities and communication skills that benefit patient interactions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional development throughout a clinician’s entire career.
Case Reports as Career Catalysts
For residents in certificate and master’s programs, case report experiences open doors extending far beyond clinical practice. The skills developed—project management, data analysis, scientific writing, and critical evaluation—are highly transferable and valued across healthcare settings. Case reports also serve as accessible entry points for residents beginning their research journey, building confidence and competence that transfer to more complex research endeavors.
How Case Reports Advance the Field
Older adults are retaining their teeth and need strategies for a lifetime of oral health care. Case reports help address critical knowledge gaps by documenting unusual presentations, innovative treatments, and unexpected outcomes.⁵ They often identify practical solutions to everyday clinical challenges and frequently lead to larger studies, policy changes, and improved standards of care.
Case reports also bridge the gap between clinical practice and larger research questions. A case series documenting similar unusual presentations may lead to a retrospective analysis, which might then inform the design of a prospective study. This progression from individual case observation to systematic investigation exemplifies how clinical curiosity drives scientific advancement.
Modern technology has enhanced the impact of case reports through digital documentation, advanced imaging techniques, and long-term follow-up capabilities, allowing for more comprehensive presentations that provide valuable data for the broader clinical community.
Overcoming Research Barriers Through Case Reports
Many residents feel intimidated by research, viewing it as separate from clinical practice. Case reports exemplify how impactful research emerges directly from clinical observations and patient care challenges. They require no special funding, complex statistical analysis, or large patient populations. Instead, they demand careful observation, thorough documentation, and critical thinking—skills that excellent clinicians already possess.
The process of preparing case reports for publication introduces residents to the broader research ecosystem, including literature reviews, peer review processes, and scientific communication. These experiences build confidence that transfers to more complex research endeavors later in their careers.
Building Tomorrow’s Leaders
Programs that integrate case report research into geriatric dentistry education produce graduates who think differently about patient care. These clinicians approach treatment decisions with a research mindset, continuously evaluating outcomes and seeking improvement opportunities. They become faculty members who train future generations, clinicians who develop innovative treatment protocols, and leaders who advocate for policy changes benefiting older adults.
The Future is Now
As geriatric dentistry continues to evolve, residents engaged in case report research today are positioned to lead transformative changes tomorrow. The integration of artificial intelligence, teledentistry, and personalized treatment protocols will require clinicians who understand not only how to use these technologies but also how to evaluate their effectiveness through rigorous documentation and analysis—skills developed through case report research.
Conclusion: Case Reports as Professional DNA
Case report research in geriatric dentistry education transforms students from passive recipients of knowledge into active contributors to their field’s advancement. It develops critical thinking skills essential for managing complex patient populations and creates the evidence base that guides best practices.
For residents in certificate and master’s programs, embracing case report research means joining a community of scholar-clinicians dedicated to improving the lives of older adults through evidence-based oral healthcare. The commitment to case report research represents a professional obligation to continuous improvement that ultimately benefits the patients we serve and the profession we represent.
Postgraduate Geriatric Dentistry
Are you looking for improved ways to diagnose, treat, and manage the oral healthcare of older patients? Explore our online master’s and certificate program in Geriatric Dentistry.
References
- Administration on Aging, Administration for Community Living, US Department of Health and Human Services. 2020 profile of older Americans. Published May 2021. Accessed July 29, 2025. https://acl.gov/aging-and-disability-in-america/data-and-research/profile-older-americans
- Vandenbroucke JP. In defense of case reports and case series. Ann Intern Med. 2001;134(4):330-334. PMID: 11182844 DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-134-4-200102200-00017
- Sakae T, Tanaka R, Yano A, et al. Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Subsequent to Peri-Implantitis After Bisphosphonate Therapy: A Case Report. J Oral Implantol. 2020;47(6):502-506. PMID: 33270837 DOI: 10.1563/aaid-joi-D-19-00385
- Arroyo Bote S, Bennasar Verges C, Ribas-Perez D, Rodriguez Menacho D, Villalva Hernandez-Franch P, Barbero Navarro I, Castaño Séiquer A. Complications Arising from Dental Trauma Incurred from Falls Involving Geriatric Patients: A Case Report. Diagnostics. 2023; 13(19):3021. https://doi.org/10.3390/
- Nissen T, Wynn R. The clinical case report: a review of its merits and limitations. BMC Res Notes. 2014;7:264. PMID: 24758689 PMCID: PMC4001358 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-264
