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Medical history and risk assessment
1University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver 80220, USA.
Dental Clinics of North America
|October 31, 1997
Summary
Dentists must carefully assess older adults, focusing on medical history, medications, and social factors. Effective communication between dentists and physicians is crucial for safe geriatric dental care.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- The aging population in America presents unique challenges for dental professionals.
- A significant percentage of elderly patients are dentate and often have chronic health conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline critical aspects of history taking and risk assessment for geriatric dental patients.
- To highlight the importance of comprehensive medical evaluation in dental settings.
Main Methods:
- Emphasizing functional status, medication use, social support, and financial considerations in medical histories.
- Discussing common chronic diseases impacting geriatric dental patient risk.
- Acknowledging limitations of self-administered questionnaires in this demographic.
Main Results:
- Standard medical histories may be insufficient for elderly patients.
- Specific chronic diseases increase the risk of adverse events during dental procedures.
- Dentist-physician communication is vital for patient management.
Conclusions:
- A thorough and tailored approach to medical history is essential for geriatric dental care.
- Understanding patient comorbidities and support systems improves safety and outcomes.
- Interprofessional collaboration enhances the quality of dental services for older adults.