Diseases of the oral mucosa in the aged patient

A wide variety of diseases of the oral mucosa may occur in the aged patient. The majority arise primarily in the oral cavity. Some, however, are manifestations of generalized diseases. Based on his dental and medical education and with the help of several good atlases (Strassburg and Knolle, 1968; Pindborg, 1980) and textbooks of oral pathology (Shafer et al., 1974; Lucas, 1976) the dentist should be able to recognize most of the lesions warranting intervention.