Oral Health in Dementia
Oral Health in Dementia
Dementia -- who among us has not been affected by this dreaded condition, either personally, professionally, or both? As advances in science and medicine prolong life for much of the population, the quality of health across the lifespan often suffers and conditions such as dementia become more prevalent. Older people are now retaining their natural teeth. This decline in edentulism places the focus of oral healthcare for the elderly on the treatment of caries and periodontal disease, rather than removable prosthetics.
Management and treatment of a patient with dementia is one of the greatest challenges faced by the dental practitioner. If you are like most dentists, you provide oral healthcare to many vulnerable elderly patients. A 2007 American Dental Association (ADA) study found that elderly patients make up about 10% of the typical patient load for 92.6% of dentists in private practice. However, only about one third of surveyed dentists (38.6%) reported feeling "very comfortable" treating vulnerable elderly patients.
In the United States, an estimated 6 million people are affected by dementia, an overall prevalence of 13.9% in individuals aged 71 years and older. The prevalence rises with age, from 5% in those aged 71-79 years to 37% in those more than 90 years of age, the "oldest old" and fastest growing segment of the population. This article will review the care of the ambulatory dental patient who has dementia.
The Growing Problem of Dementia
Dementia -- who among us has not been affected by this dreaded condition, either personally, professionally, or both? As advances in science and medicine prolong life for much of the population, the quality of health across the lifespan often suffers and conditions such as dementia become more prevalent. Older people are now retaining their natural teeth. This decline in edentulism places the focus of oral healthcare for the elderly on the treatment of caries and periodontal disease, rather than removable prosthetics.
Management and treatment of a patient with dementia is one of the greatest challenges faced by the dental practitioner. If you are like most dentists, you provide oral healthcare to many vulnerable elderly patients. A 2007 American Dental Association (ADA) study found that elderly patients make up about 10% of the typical patient load for 92.6% of dentists in private practice. However, only about one third of surveyed dentists (38.6%) reported feeling "very comfortable" treating vulnerable elderly patients.
In the United States, an estimated 6 million people are affected by dementia, an overall prevalence of 13.9% in individuals aged 71 years and older. The prevalence rises with age, from 5% in those aged 71-79 years to 37% in those more than 90 years of age, the "oldest old" and fastest growing segment of the population. This article will review the care of the ambulatory dental patient who has dementia.
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