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Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
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The elderly patient: no reason to worry!?
Fabienne Glenz1, Christina Brand, Christian E Besimo
1Clinic for Reconstructive Dentistry and Myoarthropathy, University Clinic for Dentistry, Basel, Switzerland.
Swiss Dental Journal
|July 15, 2015
Summary
As life expectancy increases, more older adults require care, presenting challenges for dental professionals. Early detection of age-related deficiencies is crucial for improving oral health and overall well-being in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Oral Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Increasing life expectancy and demographic shifts lead to a growing population of older adults requiring care.
- Multimorbidity and polypharmacy in older adults significantly impact oral health, posing challenges for dental practitioners.
- Dental treatment for multimorbid and bedridden elderly individuals is complex, necessitating early identification of age-related deficiencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the dental implications of aging populations and multimorbidity.
- To emphasize the need for early detection of age-related deficiencies in older adults.
- To underscore the importance of interdisciplinary care for improving the well-being of dependent elderly individuals.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on aging, multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and oral health.
- Analysis of demographic trends and their impact on healthcare needs.
- Discussion of challenges in providing dental care to complex patient populations.
Main Results:
- Switzerland ranks highest in general population life expectancy.
- Age-related deficiencies and associated conditions like depression, dementia, and malnutrition complicate dental care.
- Dental interventions alone may not suffice to improve the overall well-being and nutritional status of older adults.
Conclusions:
- Early detection of age-related deficiencies is essential from a dental perspective.
- Referral to specialist physicians is recommended for suspected conditions like depression, dementia, or malnutrition.
- A holistic approach integrating dental care with medical assessment is vital for enhancing the quality of life for dependent older adults.
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