1. 1 The Elderly Dental Patient Practice Management

2. 2 Aging consists of three interactive components: Biologic: –Major organ systems declining –Age related diseases Psychological: –Age related decline in perceptual and cognitive capabilities Sociologic: –Loss of support network due to death of family and friends –Deal with society’s attitudes toward the elderly Biologic: –Major organ systems declining –Age related diseases Psychological: –Age related decline in perceptual and cognitive capabilities Sociologic: –Loss of support network due to death of family and friends –Deal with society’s attitudes toward the elderly

3. 3 Statistic: 4 out of 5 people 65 years or older have at least one chronic health condition

4. 4 Common Oral Problems of the Elderly: 1) Tooth Loss: –Percentage actually declining today 2) Caries: –Primarily root caries due to recession, or recurrent –Typically not new coronal caries 1) Tooth Loss: –Percentage actually declining today 2) Caries: –Primarily root caries due to recession, or recurrent –Typically not new coronal caries

5. 5 3) Perio: –Not age related –Higher incidence seems to be more of disease progression 4) Oral Cancers: –More prevalent as age increases 3) Perio: –Not age related –Higher incidence seems to be more of disease progression 4) Oral Cancers: –More prevalent as age increases

6. 6 Aging Process may include. Reduced organ functions: –Cardiac, respiratory Impaired bodily activities: –BP, body temp, fluid control Impaired immunologic system and cancer Reduced organ functions: –Cardiac, respiratory Impaired bodily activities: –BP, body temp, fluid control Impaired immunologic system and cancer

7. 7 Patient Assessment: Can patient understand treatment suggested? Prevention is the cornerstone of dental care for the elderly Can patient understand treatment suggested? Prevention is the cornerstone of dental care for the elderly

8. 8 Reinforce: –Home care –Tooth brush instructions –Flossing –Well balanced diet –Must work with patient and caregivers Reinforce: –Home care –Tooth brush instructions –Flossing –Well balanced diet –Must work with patient and caregivers

9. 9 Long term care patients: Hard to get dental care due to: –Transportation needs –Attitude of caregivers –Health of patient –Finances Hard to get dental care due to: –Transportation needs –Attitude of caregivers –Health of patient –Finances

10. 10 These patients may suffer from: –Poor oral hygiene –Root/coronal caries –Tooth mobility –Pain –Swelling –Sore/bleeding gums –Retained root tips –Xerostomia –Infections –Mouth sores (lesions) These patients may suffer from: –Poor oral hygiene –Root/coronal caries –Tooth mobility –Pain –Swelling –Sore/bleeding gums –Retained root tips –Xerostomia –Infections –Mouth sores (lesions)

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12. 12 Treating the Elderly: Communication Tips: –Look at the patient when talking to him or her –Talk slowly and carefully –Maintain calm and pleasant demeanor –Body language is important –Have a sense of humor –Consider using large print medical history –Stroke victim patients may be speech impaired Communication Tips: –Look at the patient when talking to him or her –Talk slowly and carefully –Maintain calm and pleasant demeanor –Body language is important –Have a sense of humor –Consider using large print medical history –Stroke victim patients may be speech impaired

13. 13 When Treating Elderly or Handicapped Patient in Dental Office: Always: –Review health history and update current medications –Avoid putting patient in supine position –Appoint patient at a time that meets his/her needs –Schedule cardiac patient in the A.M. Always: –Review health history and update current medications –Avoid putting patient in supine position –Appoint patient at a time that meets his/her needs –Schedule cardiac patient in the A.M.