Geriatric Dental Program
What is Geriatric Dentistry?
Geriatric dentistry is defined as Athat discipline that deals with
special knowledge, attitudes and technical skills required in the
provision of oral health care to older adults@. Currently over 13.7%
of the U.S. population is aged 65+ years, and this proportion will
increase to 23% by the year 2040. The state of Ohio is one of nine
states where the older adult population constitutes an increasingly
significant percentage of the population. Oral health is
particularly important among the elderly. They are more susceptible
to systemic conditions, making them predisposed to develop oral
diseases which can directly or indirectly lead to malnutrition,
altered communication, further susceptibility to infectious diseases
and diminished quality of life.
Today, approximately 40% of older adults are edentulous (toothless),
while the remaining 60% of individuals 65 years of age and older
retain some or all of their natural teeth.
Recent research has determined that oral health and quality of life
of older adults can be compromised by discomfort and pain caused by
dental and oral disease. Some 120 physical or mental conditions may
lead to either symptoms in the oral cavity or may affect an older
person=s ability to perform good oral hygiene. For example:
Xerostomia (dry mouth) - a common problem among many elderly,
can result as a side effect of using certain medications such as
antidepressants, antihistamines, anti-hypertensives,
anti-psychotics, anti-parkinsonism medications and anti-inflammatory
agents. There are over 400 medications cause dry mouth. Dry mouth
can interfere with a person=s ability to speak, taste, chew and
swallow. A person with dry mouth may experience pain, irritation or
difficulty in using their dentures. Tooth decay and gum disease can
develop and progress faster in an environment of dry mouth because
dental plaque tends to accumulate faster when saliva production is
decreased.
Diabetes mellitus - Older diabetics are at risk for oral
infections and impaired healing that can result in gum disease and
other oral conditions.
Gum disease and systemic diseases - Recent research indicates
an association between periodontal disease and certain systemic
diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in the
elderly.
In the year 2000, the American Dental Association presented The Ohio
State University Geriatric Dentistry Program with a recognition
award for its contribution to the advancement of the art and science
of geriatric oral health.
