Preventive dental services for the elderly

Preventive dentistry for the elderly is a two-track system: one for the haves and another for the have nots (not an uncommon duality). For those who have teeth, the major needs are prevention of new or recurrent caries and preventing further loss of supporting tissue. The strategies are essentially the same as for the younger populations, with some modification. For the have-nots, maintenance of denture function and denture hygiene becomes the counterpart. Both groups have the same needs for surveillance of soft tissue health and salivary gland function. The major challenge for the preventively oriented dentist concerned with the elderly is to develop an appreciation of the need for regular care in an age group that places a low priority on this service. This is an educational and a behavioral problem that has to be addressed by our social and behavioral scientists. The practitioner, however, has to build it into dental practice on an ongoing basis. People do not become elderly over night (although it may seem to happen that way). As people grow older, they lose the youthful sense of immortality and are very amenable to health education. We have to provide it. A well functioning dentition, artificial or, one hopes, natural, adds to well being, "quality of life" and is part of active life expectancy that to many is more important than mere survival.