Geriatric Dentistry

1. What is Geriatric Dentistry?

Geriatric dentistry is a specialized branch of dental care focusing on the oral health of elderly patients, particularly those with complex medical conditions, dependent health status, or a history of medical treatments requiring special precautions. It also includes elderly patients with physical or cognitive limitations. Treatment planning requires careful long-term consideration to ensure safety and suitability, tailored to each patient’s overall health and personal needs. All care is based on scientific evidence with the goal of maintaining quality of life and daily function with comfort and confidence.

2. Who Should Receive Care?

• Elderly individuals who begin to experience health problems or are at risk of developing chronic illnesses should visit the dentist even without noticeable oral symptoms, in order to establish preventive care and a long-term oral health plan.
• Elderly patients with complex medical histories that may affect oral health or daily oral hygiene.
• Patients requiring special precautions during dental treatment, such as those with bleeding disorders, infection risk, or aspiration risk.
• Dependent elderly patients with physical, memory, or psychological limitations, for whom conventional dental care may be difficult.

3. Products / Services

Preventive dentistry: Oral examination, X-rays, diagnosis, treatment planning, and counseling on oral care.
General dental treatments: Scaling, fillings, tooth extractions, and root canal therapy.
Prosthodontics: Removable and fixed dentures.
Dental implants: For elderly patients deemed safe after thorough evaluation.

Note: Elderly individuals in good health can generally receive dental treatment just like younger patients. However, those with physical, memory, or psychological limitations may find certain treatments more difficult or unsuitable. A thorough dental assessment is essential before treatment. Patients should inform the dentist of their medical history and bring a list of medications they are currently taking to ensure safe and appropriate treatment planning.

4. Benefits of Geriatric Dentistry

• Provides treatment planning for frail or dependent elderly patients. While results may not always be as ideal or aesthetic as in younger or healthier patients, the treatment is carefully tailored to their physical, cognitive, and psychological conditions, as well as their long-term care needs. This ensures the safest and most appropriate outcomes for both patients and caregivers.
• Preventive care reduces the risk of oral infections, which is especially important for patients post-surgery, or those with swallowing or aspiration difficulties.
• Enhances quality of life, enabling elderly patients to chew, speak, and live daily life with greater confidence and comfort.

5. How Long Does Treatment Take?

Treatment time depends on the patient’s oral condition, type of treatment, and overall health status.

For frail elderly patients or those unable to tolerate long procedures: Treatment is often divided into multiple shorter visits, each lasting no more than one hour, to minimize stress and fatigue that may affect overall health.

For elderly patients in good health with good cooperation: Treatment duration is usually similar to that of standard dental procedures.