Management of the ageing dental patient

Dental care of elderly persons is very similar to that of younger persons but is often modified by a variety of age related and age associated changes. Diseases and the medications taken to treat them often have a direct effect on oral health. Clinical decision-making for the dental care of older adults can be more complex. Dental disease patterns within the ageing population seem to be changing and seem to be expressed differently resulting in more modifying factors which will require actual diagnosis and complicate treatment planning. This paper presents some definitions of geriatric patients with specific applications to dentistry. Using the available data the characteristics and needs of these patients have been described with particular reference to decision-making. Selected management issues have been discussed with particular reference to stress, communication, prevention and premedication. Some concepts in restorative care especially related to root caries were discussed. In prosthodontics the problems related to treatment have been identified and the incremental treatment technique discussed. Issues in the care of older dental patients are not often related to technical problems but are issues related to what is considered appropriate care, necessary treatment, where it should be carried out and the sequence in which it should be completed.