The unique oral health needs of an aging population

Over the last century, the number and percentage of older adults has increased dramatically. In the last 30 years, the percentage of older edentulous adults has declined significantly but the total number is expected to remain constant at 9 million until the year 2020. The increasing number of and percentage of dentate adults will have more teeth at risk for caries and periodontal disease. Many of these adults will have multiple medical problems and be taking various pharmacotherapies which will complicate oral disease and its treatment. New concepts in prevention of oral disease will be required, as will more accurate diagnostic procedures, especially to identify the at-risk older adults.