Dr. Jude Fabiano discusses the Importance of Geriatric Dentistry

Aging is a natural part of life. By the year 2030, there will be an estimated 72 million U.S. adults 65 or older, according to the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. This will be 20% of the country’s population.

Oral health is a vital component of overall wellness. The aging population faces slightly different challenges in maintaining oral health in comparison to the population as a whole. Those in the dental profession must be prepared to effectively treat our aging patients.

Industry Trends
One fifth of people above the age of 75 haven’t seen a dentist in the past five years, according to the American Dental Association. For some, they are afraid to go after years of neglect. Others have mobility or transportation limitations that restrict their ability to see a dentist.

Furthermore, the reason is financial for some patients. After retirement, many seniors lose dental insurance coverage. Medicare does not include routine dental care, and Medicaid does not require states to provide comprehensive dental benefits to adults. Even those who are eager to see the dentist may be unable to because they don’t have the out-of-pocket funds to pay for cleanings, checkups, fillings, dentures, crowns, tooth extractions, etc.

Older adults are retaining their natural teeth until later in life, so maintaining oral health is crucial to prevent additional health issues, such as infection or severe pain.

The Role of Education
Despite the many challenges of geriatric dentistry, there is some good news. The current aging population is generally better educated than previous generations, leading them to have a more positive and proactive attitude toward the importance of dentistry as they age. Because of this, they will likely have higher expectations about preserving their natural teeth and maintaining oral health.

Due to the growing number of older adults who will be in need of dental care, there has been an increased educational focus on geriatric dentistry in the last 30 years. The delivery of geriatric education differs in dental schools across the country, but one analysis showed that public schools tend to have a greater interest in expanding geriatric dentistry. Many programs teach it as an independent course or organized series of lectures, and students were often required to have some clinical experience focused in geriatric dentistry.

All dentistry has the same basic foundational information, but there are special considerations when treating seniors. For example, being aware of medication interference, increased sensitivity, common ailments and patient expectations. There is no doubt that the importance of geriatric dentistry will only increase as the years go on.

Dr. Jude Fabiano, DDS is a dental professional from Buffalo, New York, with over 35 years of experience. He currently serves as the Director of Corporate Education for Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc., a dental material company.