The American Dental Association (ADA) is offering online training for dental professionals interested in providing care for nursing home residents.

Nearly 1.4 million nursing home residents face the greatest challenges to accessing dental care of any group in the nation. At the same time, the elderly population of America continues to grow, and the number of people ages 65 and older is expected to nearly double by 2050.

Through the ADA’s online continuing education course, “Dentistry in Long-term Care: Creating Pathways to Success,” dentists are able to expand their practices to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and senior centers. The course provides strategies to work with challenging medical and cognitive conditions, getting access to patients, useful equipment and supplies, and information about caring for elderly people.

For a limited time, the 10-hour course is being offered to ADA members for $250. Nonmembers can register for $650. Dentists who register for the program also can register up to three of their nondentist team members at the reduced tuition of $150 per person. Team members must register at the same time as the dentist to take advantage of the reduced tuition.

Registration is available online.