Prevalence and Significance of Prescription Medication Usage Among Gerodontic Patients¹

Abstract

Increased longevity and the perceived increasing trend of prescribed drug usage in elderly patients mandate that dentists treating gerodontic individuals be acutely aware of the unique problems these factors present. This study was designed to elucidate the prevalence of prescription medication usage among geriatric dental patients including awareness of drugs used and the reasons for use as well as compliance in the consumption of the drug(s). Data was collected on a total of 163 elderly patients seen at the Baylor College of Dentistry, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology.

Implant‐Supported Electrostimulating Device to Treat Xerostomia: A Preliminary Study

“…5,7,29 Salivary secretion tests measurements presented low amounts in unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rate tests. In accordance to the well-recognized fact that increased age is mostly accompanied by coexistent diseases and medication intake, 49,50 the cause for the xerostomic symptoms in this case was the extensive use of medication, that is, more than one hyposalivatory drug taken simultaneously. 51,52 The patient was using an antihypertensive and a tranquilizing agent (Bisprolol fumerate [Rafa Laboratories Ltd., Jerusalem, Israel], a beta blocker, 10 mg daily and Diazepam [Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Petach Tikva, Israel] 30 mg daily) all known to affect salivary flow.…”

Use of medications with potential oral adverse drug reactions in community‐dwelling elderly

“…This is also consistent with a published study of 63 elderly, dental patients where prescription drug use was the same in Caucasian and minority groups. 21 There were, however, certain categories where blacks were less likely than nonblacks to take medications with POADR. Significantly…”

Medical Health and Medication Use in Elderly Dental Patients

“…Also, multiple drug use increases significantly with advancing age. 1,16,18,19 Galan et al 11 reported 90% of older Canadian dental patients were taking at least one medication, most of which were analgesics, diuretics, and gastrointestinal agents. Landahl 20 reported the most common medications at age 70 were anxiolytics, diuretics, analgesics, and digitalis; at age 82 common drugs included analgesics, anxiolytics, diuretics, and laxatives.…”