Geriatric Dental Care
Geriatric dentistry is the delivery of dental care to older adults involving diagnosis, prevention, management and treatment of problems associated with age related diseases. The mouth is referred to as a mirror of overall health, reinforcing that oral health is an integral part of general health. In the elderly population poor oral health has been considered a risk factor for general health problems. Older adults are more susceptible to oral conditions or diseases due to an increase in chronic conditions and physical/mental disabilities. Thus, the elderly form a distinct group in terms of provision of care.
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People are now living longer and retaining their teeth for longer due to the preventive focused approach to dentistry. Although the rates of edentulism are rapidly declining, this is resulting in the number of natural teeth retained in the dentition. The impact of this is especially apparent in the residential care setting, as Personal Care Assistant staff are often time poor as a high resident to PCA ratio, oral care is often not adequately attended too or not at all. Residential care facilities will continue to encounter residents retaining their own natural teeth as the population is growing and living for longer periods so an oral health intervention will be required to combat this area of care that is severely lacking in many facilities.
Management of Geriatric Patients
- Developing a routine with oral hygiene care at the same time every day with the patients input as to when is most convenient
- Undertaking oral care in a quiet distraction-free environment
- Use of short, simple sentences and directions
- Use of task-breakdown and one-step instructions placement of a step by step poster illustrating each step
- Use of non-verbal cues e.g. facial expressions, hand gestures, body language (reassuring patient)
- Gentle touch to promote trust
- Using reminders and prompts for oral hygiene care
- Use of dementia communication techniques such as chaining, bridging, and rescuing applied to oral hygiene practices