Special Care: Older people - ageing dentition

Question 1

what are the challenges of an ageing population?

Answer 1

these are challenging patients:

Polypharmacy - dry mouth is a common side effect

many older people have co-morbidities

many develop neurological conditions such as dementia = difficulties in communication, capacity and consent

keeping teeth for longer = more dental disease and more complex treatment required

Question 2

How can we reduce the incidence of aspiration pneumonia in patients?

Answer 2

Ensure they have good oral hygiene in order to reduce the bacterial load that can be aspirated.

Question 3

What causes aspiration pneumonia?

Answer 3

Accumulation of staph aureus in crusting plaques within the mouth

Question 4

Why is it important to maintain the oral health of the elderly?

Answer 4

free of pain and discomfort

eliminate the risk of spreading infection

to maintain their masticatory function and nutrition

maintain a good appearance to maintain their confidence i.e. no smell, able to smile no self confidence issues.

give them independence

give them a sense of pride and achievement

Question 5

What are the barriers for healthcare workers delivering oral care to older people?

Answer 5

deemed as low priority in relation to other care

staff are not appropriately trained and have limited knowledge

difficulty in gaining access - poor compliance and physical disabilities

staff are on low wages

employees are always changing - retrained, no relationship/trust established with the older patient

Question 6

What are barriers to access to dental care for older patients?

Answer 6

lack of mobility

poor communication

anxiety

cost

Question 7

what are the advantages of using the stepwise approach to caries in the elderly?

Answer 7

more cleansable

doesn’t require a lot of equipment - helpful if carried out on a domiciliary visit

quick