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Patient age and general dentists' treatment decisions
T A Dolan1, C A McNaughton, S N Davidson
1University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville 32610, USA.
Summary
Dentists may limit treatment options for older adults due to assumptions about life expectancy and treatment tolerance. Patient age significantly influences dental treatment planning decisions, impacting care for elderly patients.
Area of Science:
- Dental treatment planning
- Geriatric dentistry
- Clinical decision-making
Background:
- Patient age is a critical factor in healthcare.
- Understanding how age influences dental treatment planning is essential for equitable care.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the impact of patient age on dentists' therapeutic decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether patient age affects general dentists' treatment planning decisions.
- To determine if dentists offer different treatment options based on patient age.
- To explore the underlying assumptions influencing age-related treatment planning.
Main Methods:
- A vignette-based study design was employed.
- 159 general dentists received patient case vignettes with varying ages (44, 65, 84 years).
- Dentists developed treatment plans for a partially dentate patient with irreversible pulpitis of tooth #19.
Main Results:
- Dentists planned more limited therapy for the 84-year-old patient.
- Assumptions about life expectancy, cost, treatment tolerance, and cost/benefit ratio influenced decisions for older patients.
- Patient age was found to influence treatment planning.
Conclusions:
- Dentists' treatment planning decisions are influenced by patient age.
- Older adults may receive limited treatment options due to age-related assumptions.
- Further research is needed to validate these associations and address potential biases in geriatric dental care.