Clinical Care for an Aging Population

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Geriatric Dentistry
• Public Health

Background:

• Pathologic oral changes can indicate systemic diseases and lead to tooth loss, often associated with aging.
• Poor oral health negatively impacts general health and well-being, with conditions like dental caries and periodontal disease stemming from inadequate oral care.
• While some oral pathologies increase with age, diminished oral health is not an inevitable part of aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the intricate relationship between oral health and systemic diseases.
• To highlight the necessity of an interprofessional approach in managing oral health for vulnerable populations.
• To explore the role of social determinants of health in improving oral and general well-being.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on the links between oral health and systemic conditions.
• Analysis of the impact of oral hygiene on overall health outcomes.
• Discussion of interprofessional care models for medically compromised adults.

Main Results:

• Systemic diseases significantly affect oral health, and vice versa.
• Neglecting oral hygiene contributes to various oral pathologies and functional decline.
• An interprofessional model is crucial for effective oral healthcare in frail and medically compromised individuals.

Conclusions:

• Oral health is integral to general health and well-being, not merely a consequence of aging.
• Interprofessional collaboration and leveraging social determinants of health can improve oral care access and outcomes for all populations.
• Oral healthcare professionals are increasingly vital members of interdisciplinary teams, practicing in diverse settings.