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The elderly patient.
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology
|February 1, 1983
Summary
Dentists must adopt a holistic approach to elderly patients, recognizing that age impacts their bio-psycho-social health. Fostering cooperation through respectful care is crucial for effective gerodontic treatment.
Area of Science:
- Gerodontology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- Aging significantly influences the bio-psycho-social aspects of disease presentation in elderly individuals.
- Dental practitioners may exhibit negative reactions towards geriatric patients, hindering optimal therapeutic engagement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the impact of patient age on bio-psycho-social parameters in disease.
- To emphasize the importance of a positive dentist attitude in geriatric dental care.
- To underscore the necessity of dentist-patient cooperation in gerodontics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on aging and disease parameters.
- Analysis of dentist attitudes towards elderly patients.
- Exploration of principles for effective gerodontic patient interaction.
Main Results:
- Elderly patients' age is a critical factor affecting their overall health status.
- A dentist's perception of a patient's old age can negatively influence their therapeutic approach.
- Cooperation is fundamental in gerodontics, requiring a specific patient interaction model.
Conclusions:
- Gerodontics necessitates a shift from age-related biases to a patient-centered, holistic care model.
- Respectful and cooperative dentist-patient relationships are paramount for successful treatment outcomes in the elderly.
- Addressing dentist attitudes is key to improving oral healthcare delivery for aging populations.