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Periodontal treatment for elderly patients
1Department of Periodontics, Indiana University School of Dentistry, USA.
Journal (Indiana Dental Association)
|February 7, 2001
Summary
As the older adult population grows, dental professionals must adapt periodontal care. This involves understanding common health conditions and medications to improve elderly patients' quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Periodontology
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- The global population of older adults is rapidly increasing.
- This demographic shift presents unique challenges for healthcare providers, including dentists and periodontists.
- Concurrent medical conditions are common in older patients, impacting dental treatment delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common health conditions in older adults.
- To suggest modifications in periodontal therapy for this population.
- To emphasize the importance of medication knowledge and functional assessments in geriatric periodontal care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of common conditions in older patients.
- Analysis of how medical conditions and medications affect periodontal treatment.
- Discussion of functional assessment techniques for elderly patients.
Main Results:
- Older adults frequently present with multiple chronic diseases.
- Medications used for chronic conditions can influence periodontal health and treatment.
- Tailored periodontal approaches are necessary to accommodate age-related changes and comorbidities.
Conclusions:
- Periodontal therapy for older adults requires a comprehensive understanding of their medical status and medications.
- Functional assessments are crucial for tailoring treatments to enhance patients' quality of life.
- Healthcare providers must adapt their practices to meet the evolving needs of the geriatric population.