Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate XVII · Patient Management and Special Needs · 05

Older adults

Older adults bring more root caries, recession, medication-driven dry mouth and oral cancer risk, and many take several drugs at once. Review those drugs for dry mouth, dizziness on standing and bleeding. Patients with dementia do best with short, consistent morning visits and caregiver help, and stroke survivors need a semi-upright chair and frequent suction.

High-yield facts · 5

  1. Older adults have more root caries, recession, xerostomia (mainly from medications), attrition and oral cancer risk.T2
  2. Polypharmacy is common; check for drugs that cause xerostomia, orthostatic hypotension or bleeding.T2
  3. Dementia patients do best with short, morning, consistent appointments and caregiver involvement.T2
  4. Parkinson disease causes tremor and rigidity; use short appointments, power brushes, and caution with the chair.T2
  5. Stroke survivors may have one-sided weakness, aphasia and dysphagia; position semi-upright and use suction often.T2

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.