Learning Objectives
After completing the course, you’ll be able to:
1. Prevention: The Key to Retention - A Look at Clinical Geriatric Dental Practice Now and in the 21st Century
1. Describe the demographics of older population in the U.S. and how the practice of dentistry is affected by the burgeoning ranks of seniors.
2. Describe the state of oral health and dental diseases in the elderly, specifically dental caries and periodontal disease.
3. Explain the importance of prevention as the key to retention, particularly plaque control and caries prevention.
4. Classify older patients into 4 categories to determine their oral hygiene abilities.
5. Make a prediction regarding the future of prevention in geriatric dental practice, out- line the challenges facing the profession and provide a prognosis for the state of dental health in the elderly in the 21st century.
2. Older Dental Patients: Myths and Realities
6. Describe the trends in the utilization of dental care in various age groups and predict the future of dentistry as it relates to the elderly.
7. Dispel myths and regarding the state of dental health in the elderly, existence of peri- odontal disease, dry mouth and ability to afford dental care.
8. Identify the cause of dry mouth in an elderly patient and explain the seriousness of dry mouth as it affects the oral health.
9. List 3 measures a dentist should take in treating a patient with a measurable loss of attachment.
3. Providing Oral Cancer Examinations for Older Adults
10. Conduct a thorough extraoral, perioral and intraoral soft tissue examination.
11. Understand the importance of encouraging older patients to seek dental care so they can receive timely oral cancer examinations.
12. Evaluate the risk of oral cancer in the older population.
13. Differentiate between the oral mucosa of older patients and that of younger patients.
14. List 4 factors that delay the diagnosis of oral cancer in older patients.
15. List 16 components of an oral cancer examination in the recommended sequence.
4. Patient Teaching: A Guide to Oral Health for Seniors
16. Identify at least 4 reasons as to why older citizens don't seek dental care.
17. Explain the connection between old age and oral health and discuss with the patient changes in teeth and supporting tissue, gum disease, teeth decay, dry mouth syndrome, oral cancer and the impact of systemic diseases on oral health.
18. Discuss with the patient dental aids, dentures and dental implants as they affect dental care.
19. Outline special concerns for older women and identify specific issues that affect oral health of women.
20. Emphasize to the patient the importance of regular toothbrushing and flossing and demonstrate proper technique.