Geriatric Dentistry – Geriodontics

Service Description

The percentage of Canadians that are now over 65 years old (13%) has significantly increased in the past decade. This population has a variety of dental needs, medical conditions, and behavioural characteristics. Research shows that 95% of the seniors live in the community, 5% are homebound, and 17% have mobility issues (Ettinger 2006). Geriodontics is when you deliver dental care to older adults involving the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of problems associated with normal aging and age-related diseases as part of an interdisciplinary team with other health care professionals. The majority of older adults require no differences in treatment with regards to their oral health needs. But we are aware that some older adults have developed some associated health issues (e.g., medical problems, use of more medications, reduced dexterity, and social issues) and increased oral diseases as they become more frail, more dependent, and more cognitively impaired (Chambers 2006a). With the population becoming older around the world, dentists are confronted with patients who have complex medical and social histories who deserve a wide range of services, including restorative, preventative, and diagnostic care.