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The Elderly Dental Patient

The Elderly Dental Patient

Practice ManagementPractice Management

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Aging consists of three interactive components:Aging consists of three interactive components:

• Biologic: – Major organ systems declining – Age related diseases

• Psychological:– Age related decline in perceptual and cognitive

capabilities

• Sociologic:– Loss of support network due to death of family

and friends– Deal with society’s attitudes toward the elderly

• Biologic: – Major organ systems declining – Age related diseases

• Psychological:– Age related decline in perceptual and cognitive

capabilities

• Sociologic:– Loss of support network due to death of family

and friends– Deal with society’s attitudes toward the elderly

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• Statistic: 4 out of 5 people 65 years or older have at least one chronic health condition

• Statistic: 4 out of 5 people 65 years or older have at least one chronic health condition

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Common Oral Problems of the Elderly:Common Oral Problems of the Elderly:• 1) Tooth Loss:– Percentage actually declining today

• 2) Caries:– Primarily root caries due to recession, or

recurrent– Typically not new coronal caries

• 1) Tooth Loss:– Percentage actually declining today

• 2) Caries:– Primarily root caries due to recession, or

recurrent– Typically not new coronal caries

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• 3) Perio:– Not age related– Higher incidence seems to be more of disease

progression

• 4) Oral Cancers:– More prevalent as age increases

• 3) Perio:– Not age related– Higher incidence seems to be more of disease

progression

• 4) Oral Cancers:– More prevalent as age increases

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Aging Process may include. Aging Process may include.

• Reduced organ functions:– Cardiac, respiratory

• Impaired bodily activities:– BP, body temp, fluid control

• Impaired immunologic system and cancer

• Reduced organ functions:– Cardiac, respiratory

• Impaired bodily activities:– BP, body temp, fluid control

• Impaired immunologic system and cancer

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Patient Assessment:Patient Assessment:

• Can patient understand treatment suggested?

• Prevention is the cornerstone of dental care for the elderly

• Can patient understand treatment suggested?

• Prevention is the cornerstone of dental care for the elderly

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• Reinforce:– Home care– Tooth brush instructions– Flossing– Well balanced diet– Must work with patient and caregivers

• Reinforce:– Home care– Tooth brush instructions– Flossing– Well balanced diet– Must work with patient and caregivers

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Long term care patients:Long term care patients:

• Hard to get dental care due to:– Transportation needs– Attitude of caregivers– Health of patient– Finances

• Hard to get dental care due to:– Transportation needs– Attitude of caregivers– Health of patient– Finances

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• These patients may suffer from:– Poor oral hygiene– Root/coronal caries– Tooth mobility– Pain– Swelling– Sore/bleeding gums– Retained root tips– Xerostomia– Infections– Mouth sores (lesions)

• These patients may suffer from:– Poor oral hygiene– Root/coronal caries– Tooth mobility– Pain– Swelling– Sore/bleeding gums– Retained root tips– Xerostomia– Infections– Mouth sores (lesions)

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Treating the Elderly:Treating the Elderly:

• Communication Tips:– Look at the patient when talking to him or her– Talk slowly and carefully– Maintain calm and pleasant demeanor– Body language is important– Have a sense of humor– Consider using large print medical history– Stroke victim patients may be speech impaired

• Communication Tips:– Look at the patient when talking to him or her– Talk slowly and carefully– Maintain calm and pleasant demeanor– Body language is important– Have a sense of humor– Consider using large print medical history– Stroke victim patients may be speech impaired

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When Treating Elderly or Handicapped Patient in Dental Office:

When Treating Elderly or Handicapped Patient in Dental Office:

• Always:– Review health history and update current

medications– Avoid putting patient in supine position– Appoint patient at a time that meets

his/her needs– Schedule cardiac patient in the A.M.

• Always:– Review health history and update current

medications– Avoid putting patient in supine position– Appoint patient at a time that meets

his/her needs– Schedule cardiac patient in the A.M.