Citation

Tran P, Mannen J. Spec. Care Dentist. 2009; 29(5): 218-221.

Affiliation

janamannen@yahoo.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Special Care Dentistry Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1754-4505.2009.00096.x

PMID

19740154

Abstract

With the increase in the elderly population, the prevalence of systemic diseases such as strokes and heart attacks will also increase. Persons who have had a stroke will be more susceptible to mistreatment, neglect, abuse, and aspiration pneumonia. The expansion of the elderly population will make the training of professional healthcare workers and other auxiliaries extremely important. Quality of life can be maintained if poor oral health is reduced through better daily oral hygiene practices. Informing others about the known association between oral health and systemic diseases will increase the awareness of the need for good oral hygiene in order to reduce the risk of systemic diseases. Healthcare professionals must also be able to recognize, document, and report to Adult Protective Services suspected abuse such as physical and dental neglect. The networking of healthcare providers with Adult Protective Services and other professional disciplines will provide a collaborative approach to assure successful integration of healthcare protocols for the elderly population.

Language: en