Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
General medicine and surgery for dental practitioners. Part 1 - the older patient
M Greenwood1, R H Jay, J G Meechan
1Consultant/Honorary Clinical Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4BW. mark.greenwood@newcastle.ac.uk
Abstract:
This paper is the start of a series on general medicine and surgery for dental practitioners. It follows on from a previous series, published in the British Dental Journal in 2003. The proportion of older people in the UK population has been on the increase for several years. Dental practitioners who treat the general public often see older patients on a regular basis. This paper considers aspects of clinical management in the older patient with particular reference to the presentation of disease and factors to be considered in prescribing medication.
Related Concept Videos
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Tonsillitis II: Management
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure