Management of elderly patients in the private practice system

The distribution of the world's population has resulted in a significant increase in both the number and percentage of older adults in the industrially developed countries. The ageing populations in these countries are tending to maintain natural teeth longer and so require preventive and restorative dental services as they age. The majority of these populations live in the community and are functionally independent while a much smaller minority have become frail. An even smaller minority are institutionalised, hospitalised or home-bound. The majority of those who live in the community can utilise the services of dentists working in their own private offices or government clinics provided dentists are sensitive to their needs.