Recent trends in Geriatrics and Gerontological Studies - State Level Conference

Geriatric Dentistry
Dr. Biswajit Biswas, M.D.S. (Cal), Consultant oral and Maxillifacial Surgeon
310 Canal Street , Kolkata – 700048

With the advancement of medical sciences life expectancy has increased significantly. More than 15% population is above 65 years of age worldwide. So there is a need to think specially for this group of population. Nearly 65% of the aged (above 65 years of age) persons don't receive any form of dental treatment worldwide and in Asian countries nearly 80% of the aged people don't receive any form of oral care.

Dealing with the elderly requires an understanding of and sensitivity to the medical, psychological and financial states of these patients. Our education system will have to change to address these emerging issues. The traditional educational and practice structures currently in place are based on serving the needs of a healthy and affluent [population. An infrastructure that will allow these issues to be addressed will have to be created.

The provision and success of dental treatment for older patients are commonly complicated by an array of dental as well as non-dental factors, which may or may not be unique to older patients. Here various factors like oral and medical problems have to be considered during clinical management. The strategies to counter the full range of functional, occlusal, periodontal and restorative challenges likely to come across in the actual treatment course of such patients should also be discussed. Moreover, the treatment planning oral hygiene, mouth preparation and tissue management etc. should be given due importance during the rehabilitation of geriatric patients.

Human orofacial growth and development has been fairly well defined. Not so well understood is orofacial aging, which is obviously a component of general aging process. There are some factors which influence aging. Regarding this, two alternative views on the nature of aging are prevalent. First, it is the result of random damage and second it is the result of some program enhancement and controlled degeneration of the organism.

Evidence exists that the elderly are at a special risk for developing malnutrition and that vulnerability to nutrient deficiencies increases in the age. Factors contributing to nutritional problems in the elderly are –

•  Oral

•  Changes in ability to chew food

•  Changes in taste and smell

•  Drug induces xerostomia

•  Physical

•  Changes in ability to absorb and utilize nutrients

•  Changes in ability to metabolize nutrients

•  Changes in energy requirements and activity

•  Effects of medication on appetite and nutrient absorption and utilization.

A dedicated team comprising of dental surgeons, specialist dental surgeons, Geriatric physician, nutrition specialist or dietician, nursing staff, dental hygienist and dental technicians are required to do the needful.