Improving the Oral Health of Older Adults

As the ranks of older adults continue to grow, oral health professionals must adapt their clinical approaches to meet the needs of this patient population.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After reading this course, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the increasing number of older adults who present for dental care, and a proposed classification system that focuses on these patients’ functional abilities.
2. Explain the factors that affect the oral and overall health of this patient population.
3. List common types of visual impairment affecting older adults and appropriate adaptations in clinical approach to care.
4. Recognize the signs of elder abuse, and know the reporting requirements when abuse is suspected

This course was published in the December 2016 issue and expires December 31, 2019. The authors have no commercial conflicts of interest to disclose. This 2 credit hour self-study activity is electronically mediated.