Geriatric Dentistry Care Considerations-Geriatric Dentistry Care Considerations

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Nathan R. Smith’s webinar reviewed how dental professionals can support the health, independence, and quality of life of older adults. As this population grows, clinicians must account for varied living situations, limited dental insurance, functional limitations, chronic conditions, and medication use.<br /><br />Common concerns include polypharmacy, dry mouth, reduced dexterity, hearing or vision difficulties, root and recurrent caries, periodontal disease, and poorly fitting dentures. These issues can affect nutrition, social participation, and overall well-being, and may contribute to frailty. Care should therefore be individualized and based on a thorough medical and medication history, caries-risk assessment, and collaboration with caregivers and other health professionals.<br /><br />Dr. Smith emphasized preventive, non-surgical care, including high-fluoride toothpaste and fluoride varnish for patients at elevated caries risk. Dry mouth management should address its underlying causes as well as symptom relief. Clear communication, simple written or visual instructions, teach-back, and adaptive oral-hygiene tools can help patients maintain care at home. Caregivers may need training, particularly for patients with cognitive or physical limitations.<br /><br />Dental offices can improve access with ramps and automatic doors, good lighting, non-slip flooring, stable chairs with armrests, readable forms, reduced background noise, and safe placement of mobility aids. Staff should help patients change position gradually to reduce dizziness and falls.<br /><br />A case example showed how treating caries and oral candidiasis, recommending preventive care, and coordinating medication review helped a patient regain comfort, wear his partial dentures, eat more varied foods, and return to social activities. The webinar’s central message was to treat older adults with attention to oral health, systemic health, function, dignity, and quality of life.

Keywords

older adults

dental care

caries prevention

dry mouth

polypharmacy

periodontal disease

dentures

caregiver support

accessibility

quality of life