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Aging and Oral Function

  • Chapter
Contemporary Geriatric Medicine

Part of the book series: Contemporary Geriatric Medicine ((COGM,volume 2))

Abstract

The impact of oral status on the clinical management of geriatric patients by the physician can seriously compromise progress and alter prognosis. Thus, poor masticatory function may thwart efforts to provide nutritional support for the victim of a stroke, while noncompliance with recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis of the cardiac patient has been identified as the chief etiologic factor in subacute bacterial endocarditis following dental intervention. Because the vast majority of geriatric patients have at least one major chronic disorder, the medical-dental interactions in their care by both physicians and dentists demand scrupulous attention to the effects of aging on oral function. As ever-increasing numbers of elderly are integrated into dental practice, the physician should also expect that he will be called on more frequently for advice on such diverse aspects of care as the drug profile of the patient and possible contraindications for certain dental procedures; the use of sedative agents to minimize stress or manage the patient with depression or dementia; and management of the patient with iatrogenic oral manifestations. This chapter will focus on critical issues of mutual concern to dentists and allied professionals, and it is our hope that upon completion the reader will be able to

  1. 1.

    identify the effects of aging on the hard and soft tissues of the mouth,

  2. 2.

    perform a regional evaluation of the mouth and its adnexae,

  3. 3.

    appreciate the oral manifestations of systemic disorders in the medically compromised older patient.

  4. 4.

    understand the role of the dental professional in a rehabilitation program for the geriatric patient with physical and mental limitations,

  5. 5.

    participate appropriately in the consultative process for antibiotic prophylaxis, sedation, and other aspects of dental management of the high-risk older patient,

  6. 6.

    implement standards for oral health care of the institutionalized frail elderly in the long-term care facility,

  7. 7.

    counsel the geriatric patient on methods of preventing oral disorders such as caries and periodontal disease.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jewish Institute for Geriatric Care, New Hyde Park, New York, 11040, USA

    Saul Kamen

  2. School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, 11794-8700, USA

    Saul Kamen

  3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Temple University Health Sciences Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19040, USA

    Leonard B. Kamen

Authors
  1. Saul Kamen
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  2. Leonard B. Kamen
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics, Chief of Medical Services) (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics, Chief of Medical Services)

  2. Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics, Chief of Medical Services) (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics, Chief of Medical Services)

  3. Center for Aging and Adult Development, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics, Chief of Medical Services) (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics, Chief of Medical Services)

  4. Westchester County Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics, Chief of Medical Services) (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics, Chief of Medical Services)

  5. Ruth Taylor Geriatric and Rehabilitation Institute, Valhalla, New York, USA

    Steven R. Gambert M.D., F.A.C.P. (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics, Chief of Medical Services) (Professor of Medicine, Director, Director of Geriatrics, Chief of Medical Services)

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© 1986 Plenum Publishing Corporation

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Kamen, S., Kamen, L.B. (1986). Aging and Oral Function. In: Gambert, S.R. (eds) Contemporary Geriatric Medicine. Contemporary Geriatric Medicine, vol 2. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5000-2_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5000-2_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-5002-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-5000-2

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