Oral Assessment of the Edentulous Elderly Patient

Abstract

While the need for regular oral examinations increases in the aged, edentulous elderly persons generally see their dentists rarely, while most see their physicians relatively frequently. If these patients cannot be convinced to see a dentist, the physician should perform regular oral screening examinations. A technique is described for accomplishing this.

Aging and Oral Function

“…26 This consists of an oral history, regional evaluation of the mouth and its adnexae, assessment of prosthesis, and counseling for patients with dentures. The oral screening should disclose oral problems that may influence the well-being of the elderly patient such as odontogenic inflammation and infections, nutritional inadequacies, and even depression induced by loss of self-esteem.…”

Oral Assessment of the Dentulous Elderly Patient

“…This screening examination should be done in conjunction with the examination for oral pathology described previously 17 and can be done quickly as part of a regular health maintenance program. * Its purpose is to identify patients who should be referred to a dentist or surgeon for further evaluation or treatment.…”

“…As always, the presence of self‐perceived problems by the patient with esthetics, comfort, or masticatory ability should indicate evaluation by a dentist. In addition, any of the soft tissue pathology associated with use of dentures should be noted and referred 17 …”

“…The importance of screening examinations in the elderly for oral pathology and description of a technique for accomplishing these examinations and evaluating dentures was presented previously 17 . The purpose of this discussion is to describe for the non‐dental health professional 1) a screening technique for evaluating the teeth and surrounding soft tissue (gingiva and mucosa) to allow for appropriate referral to dentists, and 2) review techniques for assisting incapacitated patients with oral hygiene.…”

Meeting the oral health needs of institutionalized elderly

“…caregiver [8], should be instructed to cleanse each patient's mouth using the directives prescribed [45,46].…”