Clinical Care for an Aging Population

Pathologic changes in the oral cavity can portend the presence of systemic diseases and result in poor oral health and tooth loss, which are commonly symbolic of aging. Systemic diseases can have direct and indirect effects on oral health, and, likewise, poor oral health can impact general health and wellbeing. Negligence in oral care results in the accumulation of dental plaque and calculus, which eventually contributes to the onset of dental caries, periodontal disease, halitosis, tooth loss, and, ultimately, diminished oral function. Some oral pathology also increases in prevalence in older adults. However, diminished oral health and function is not a normal result of aging. Providing appropriate oral healthcare to frail and medically compromised adults requires an interprofessional approach to address the many diseases and conditions that can impact oral health and the safe and timely provision of care. As opportunities increase for oral healthcare professionals to function as integral members of interdisciplinary teams and to practice in nontraditional and more accessible settings, clinicians may gain better understanding of the dynamic balance between oral and general health, and how the social determinants of health can be leveraged to favor both.