Silver Surfers- The aging population Flashcards
What issues, specific to old age is facing dentistry?
8
1) Demanding professional offspring
2) Mobility
3) Living longer
4) Loss of independence
5) Obesity
6) LA sensitive
7) Cancer
8) Increased challenges
Relating to old age, how does Demanding professional offspring’s impact dentistry?
older patients who attend with their children, offsprings can have an even higher expectation than the patient about what can be achieved and maintained. maybe more litigious
Relating to old age, how does cancer impact dentistry?
Older patients are more likely to develop both oral and other cancers that may present as a dental complaint
Relating to old age, how does increased challenges impact dentistry?
older patients present with increased social and mental health. medical and pharmaceutical challenges impacting on surgical and medical treatment choices
Relating to old age, how does mobility impact dentistry?
These patients would have mobility issue possible due to arthritis, this will affect their ability for optimal oral hygiene. and access to surgery. More patients would be in a residential home or living socially isolated. Domiciliary care would need to increase, dental practice will need to support local residential home with oral health maintenance.
Relating to old age, how does LA sensitive impact dentistry?
why is this?
Older patients are more sensitive to LA and sedation methods due to sacropenia (muscle mass loss). As patient age and lose body mass, they may develop renal and hepatic failure and they are more at risk of LA and benzodiazepine toxicity
Relating to old age, obesity how does impact dentistry?
Women over 65+ 32% ‘overweight’ and 34% ‘obese’. For men 54% ‘overweight’ and 31% ‘obese’. These patients will require specialist bariatric chairs and equipment for the required treatment
Relating to old age, obesity how does impact dentistry?
Women over 65+ 32% ‘overweight’ and 34% ‘obese’. For men 54% ‘overweight’ and 31% ‘obese’. These patients will require specialist bariatric chairs and equipment for the required treatment
Relating to old age, living longer how does impact dentistry?
Patients are living longer and healthier lives so your dental treatment plan must consider longevity and practicality of treatment choice
Dentistry doesn’t have access to systems to electronically access patients records meaning……..
This also results in dental professionals being…………..
dental team are more at risk of causing adverse events.
the last healthcare workforce to be made aware of health changes
Common medical conditions related to old age?
Hypertension/ hypercholetremia/ mental ill,ness/ stroke/ Heart attck/ Diabetes/ Coronory heart disease/ Arthritis/ Cancer
Medical conditions related to old age that would have an impact on dentistry? (5)
Oral Cancer Pnemoniua Chronic pain Malnutrition Dementia
How does dentistry assist in Chronic pain?
In chronic pain conditions dentist can also play a key role in diagnosing non-dental causes of oral and facial pain, such as trigeminal neuralgia. Being able to access dental services is therefore especially important for older people
How does dentistry assist with oral cancer?
Oral cancer and other mucosal disease are not directly caused by poor oral health, regular dental check ups are essential for early diagnosis of these conditions, which can particular affect older people
How does dentistry assist with Pneumonia?
Pneumonia studies have found there is a considerable evidence to support a link between poor oral health and aspiration pneumonia, particularly in settings such as hospital and nursing homes. This is because dental plaque can be colonised by certain types of bacteria that cause pneumonia, which are subsequently inhaled
