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Drug Abuse Among the Elderly: Implications for Dental Practice
1Private Practice, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada.
Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry (Jamesburg, N.J. : 1995)
|March 2, 2018
Summary
Substance abuse is a growing concern in the aging North American population, often going undiagnosed. This article examines drug abuse in seniors, its oral health impacts, and dental practice considerations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- North American demographics show a significant increase in the elderly population.
- Substance abuse among seniors is prevalent but frequently overlooked and undiagnosed.
- Commonly abused substances include alcohol, analgesics (opioids), central nervous system depressants, and illicit drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the reasons behind substance abuse in the elderly population.
- To identify warning signs indicative of substance abuse in seniors.
- To elucidate the oral health consequences and dental practice implications of geriatric substance abuse.
Main Methods:
- Review of current demographic data on aging populations.
- Analysis of literature on substance abuse patterns in geriatric individuals.
- Discussion of clinical manifestations and dental considerations.
Main Results:
- Substance abuse is a common, yet often unrecognized, issue in the elderly.
- Specific drug classes are predominantly abused by seniors.
- Geriatric substance abuse has direct implications for oral health and dental care.
Conclusions:
- Increased awareness and screening for substance abuse are crucial in geriatric care.
- Dental professionals play a role in identifying potential substance abuse issues in elderly patients.
- Understanding the oral manifestations of substance abuse can improve patient outcomes.
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