This book provides a comprehensive review of the assessment and management of older people’s oral health care needs. Discussing recent initiatives to emphasize oral health promotion and prevention, the book describes improvements in pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for special populations in geriatrics and illuminates the role of barriers to oral health care for older people. Divided into three sections, the book first explores aging and oral health, including age-related changes, epidemiology, nutrition, dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia, xerostomia and hyposalivation, management of periodontal disease and caries, systemic diseases that influence oral health, and considerations for chronic orofacial pain. The second section illuminates the ways in which frailty and other geriatric syndromes influence oral health care in older adults with a special focus on frailty, dementia, delirium and depression, and the delivery of oral health care to vulnerable geriatric populations in long-term care, home care, palliative care, and hospice. Lastly, the book addresses inequalities in the oral health of older minority populations, the disproportionate burden of oral disease and tooth loss, the contribution of these issues to further complications in comorbidities, the association of extended health literacy and periodontal disease, and the social and cultural conditions that might be altered or improved by healthcare programs and health policies. Oral Health and Aging is a useful book written by an international group of experts and designed to educate geriatricians, primary care physicians, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, speech and language pathologists, dietitians, and health policy advocates.

This book provides a comprehensive review of the assessment and management of older people’s oral health care needs. Discussing recent initiatives to emphasize oral health promotion and prevention, the book describes improvements in pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for special populations in geriatrics and illuminates the role of barriers to oral health care for older people. Divided into three sections, the book first explores aging and oral health, including age-related changes, epidemiology, nutrition, dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia, xerostomia and hyposalivation, management of periodontal disease and caries, systemic diseases that influence oral health, and considerations for chronic orofacial pain. The second section illuminates the ways in which frailty and other geriatric syndromes influence oral health care in older adults with a special focus on frailty, dementia, delirium and depression, and the delivery of oral health care to vulnerable geriatric populations in long-term care, home care, palliative care, and hospice. Lastly, the book addresses inequalities in the oral health of older minority populations, the disproportionate burden of oral disease and tooth loss, the contribution of these issues to further complications in comorbidities, the association of extended health literacy and periodontal disease, and the social and cultural conditions that might be altered or improved by healthcare programs and health policies. Oral Health and Aging is a useful book written by an international group of experts and designed to educate geriatricians, primary care physicians, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, speech and language pathologists, dietitians, and health policy advocates.

This excellent new work confronts two important oral health policy concerns in the United States: the disparities in the oral disease burden and the inability of certain segments of the population to access oral health care. The book examines in depth this crucial yet frequently overlooked indicator of seniors’ quality of life. It provides an invaluable set of recommendations to the clinical, research, and administrative communities that will serve the elderly population.

Enables readers to understand practical solutions to reduce oral disease and improve oral health in a growing aging population Oral Health for an Ageing Population offers global evidence and practical solutions to enable dental clinicians and policymakers implement effective policies and practices compatible with local needs and resources. The text clearly interprets evidence into knowledge, knowledge into policy, and policy into practice in the context of dental and general health care provision, offering international perspectives and specific examples of implemented global policies. Specific sample topics covered in Oral Health for an Ageing Population include: Burden of global aging and how to achieve oral health among the elderly (including detailed recommendations for integrated clinical and community initiatives) Sustainable development goals, common risk factor approach, life course approach, non-communicable diseases, and frailty prevention Implementing effective health policy at the international and national level and improving attitudes and awareness among the general public regarding oral health Learning from the experience of Japan, the UK, and other countries, plus recommendations for future research, policy, and practice Written by a leading expert in dental geriatrics, Oral Health for an Ageing Population is based on decades of experience dealing with oral health and general health issues arising in an aging society. It provides extensive reviews of the relevant empirical evidence and practical implementation proposals for dentists, dental hygienists, other healthcare professionals, and policymakers.

Geriatric Dentistry: Caring for Our Aging Population provides general practitioners, dental students, and auxiliary members of the dental team with a comprehensive, practical guide to oral healthcare for the aging population. Beginning with fundamental chapters on the psychological, environmental, and social aspects of aging, the book approaches patient care from a holistic point of view. Subsequent chapters show the importance of this information in a practical context by discussing how it affects office environment, decision?-making and treatment planning, and the management and treatment of common geriatric oral conditions. Case studies and study questions are used to illustrate application of educational presentations to practice settings. Contributed by leaders in the field, Geriatric Dentistry will strengthen readers’ understanding and clinical acumen in addressing this special population.

This book aims to provide the dental team with an improved understanding of management of the oral health needs of the ageing population, in whom increasing cognitive, medical and physical disabilities impact significantly on oral health and dental care needs. All significant aspects of caring for older people are covered. The nature and implications of changing demographics are explained and information provided on common medical co-morbidities and the impact of cognitive conditions, including dementia, on dental treatment. The changing pattern of dental disease in older people is clearly described, with explanation of the consequences of these changes for aspects of restorative dentistry, oral medicine, and oral surgery. Advice is given on considerations for dental treatment planning, including the importance of prevention and utilization of dental care professionals. Provision of care for older people under general anaesthesia or sedation and domiciliary care are also covered. The book is written by specialist practicing clinicians and delivers information in an accessible way with a person-centered approach.

Access to oral health care is essential to promoting and maintaining overall health and well-being, yet only half of the population visits a dentist each year. Poor and minority children are less likely to have access to oral health care than are their nonpoor and nonminority peers. Older adults, people who live in rural areas, and disabled individuals, uniformly confront access barriers, regardless of their financial resources. The consequences of these disparities in access to oral health care can lead to a number of conditions including malnutrition, childhood speech problems, infections, diabetes, heart disease, and premature births. Improving Access to Oral Health Care for Vulnerable and Underserved Populations examines the scope and consequences of inadequate access to oral health services in the United States and recommends ways to combat the economic, structural, geographic, and cultural factors that prevent access to regular, quality care. The report suggests changing funding and reimbursement for dental care; expanding the oral health work force by training doctors, nurses, and other nondental professionals to recognize risk for oral diseases; and revamping regulatory, educational, and administrative practices. It also recommends changes to incorporate oral health care into overall health care. These recommendations support the creation of a diverse workforce that is competent, compensated, and authorized to serve vulnerable and underserved populations across the life cycle. The recommendations provided in Improving Access to Oral Health Care for Vulnerable and Underserved Populations will help direct the efforts of federal, state, and local government agencies; policy makers; health professionals in all fields; private and public health organizations; licensing and accreditation bodies; educational institutions; health care researchers; and philanthropic and advocacy organizations.