Considerations for the Dental Management of Older Adults

Kho,  Hong-Seop

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 49(10); 2011 > Article

The Journal of The Korean Dental Association 2011;49(10):609-617.
Published online October 31, 2011.

임상가를 위한 특집3 - 노인 환자의 치과 치료시 고려 사항

고홍섭

서울대학교 치의학대학원 구강내과진단학교실

Considerations for the Dental Management of Older Adults

Hong-Seop Kho

Dept. of Oral Medicine & Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University

Abstract

The geriatric population is the most rapidly growing part of the general population, which leads to an increase of chronic conditions and illnesses that will influence both oral and systemic health. The most common chronic diseases in elderly population are arthritis, hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes, and cognitive impairment. Chronic impairments such as visual, hearing, orthopedic, and speech disorders are also prevalent among older adults. All these chronic conditions have potential oral complications and the treatments of systemic diseases also has implications for the maintenance of oral health. Therefore, oral health care professionals should catch up with increasing knowledge in this field and can modify the treatment strategy for older adults. In addition, oral health care professionals should understand the changing need of oral health problems in this age and prepare the future demand.

Key Words: Dental;Oral;Older Adults;Geriatric;