Gerodontology Flashcards
What % of mortality worldwide is as a result of chronic disease?
63%
How can frailty with age alter a pts mastication ability?
- difficulty eating hard or tough foods
- inability to chew all types of food
How can frailty with age alter a pts swallowing ability?
- decreased ability to swallow solid foods
- decreased ability to swallow liquids
- overall poor swallowing function
How can frailty with age alter a pts oral motor skill ability?
- impaired tongue movement
- speech or phonatory disorder
How can frailty with age alter a pts salivation ability?
hyposalivation or xerostomia
What factors would contribute to an older person having a good quality of life?
- good social relationships
- maintaining social activities & retaining a role in society
- positive psychological outlook
- good health & mobility
- enjoy life & retain independence
What factors are typically deemed important by the relatives of people receiving end of life care?
- cleanliness
- free of pain
- have family present
- dignity maintained
What effectes does xerostomia have on patients?
Difficulty with:
- speech
- nutritional function & intake
- social interaction
- protective features of saliva lost
Give examples of common medical concerns in older people:
- frailty
- polypharmacy
- continence
- falls
- bone health
- nutrition & weight loss
- dementia
- parkinsons
What is the prevalence of older people (>65 y/o) falling per year?
1 in 3
What does A.R.T dental treatment refer to?
Atraumatic restorative techniques
- eg spoon excavator to get rid of caries & restore with GI
What is the prevalence of older people (>80 y/o) falling per year?
1 in 2
Why do people tend to fall more as they age?
Intrinsic = postural hypotension
Extrinsic = trip hazards (less likely to see/save themselves)
What are the dental implications of falls?
- dental trauma
- sitting pts up slowly
- manual handling
What is the prevalence of osteoporosis at 50 years old? (approx)
2% (approx.)
What is the prevalence of osteoporosis at 80 years old? (approx)
25%
What is the phenotype of frail people?
- exhaustion
- reduced grip strength
- weight loss
- low activity
- slow gait
What medication groups affect the function of the immune system?
- corticosteroids
- DMARDs
- chemotherapy
- immunomodulatory treatment
What are some factors associated with frailty?
- falls
- immobility
- delirium
- incontinence
- susceptibility to side effects
What adjustments may need to be made to pt care in patients with diabetes?
- large written font size
- mobility aids (if peripheral vascular disease involved)
- compromised wound healing
- difficulties with fasting before general anaesthesia
At what HbA1c level can any type of dental treatment be carried out within dental clinic?
<7%
At what HbA1c level can only emergency dental treatment be carried out within dental clinic?
9% (surgical procedures should be undertaken in a hospital setting)
At what HbA1c should all procedures be postponed until glycaemic control is achieved?
> 12%
What risks are associated with pts suffering from diabetes?
- hyperglycaemia
- hypoglycaemia
- fatigue
- increased risk of infection
- poor wound healing
- increased periodontal disease risk
- vascular complications (eg poor OH due to vision problems etc)
