Oral Medicine and Geriatrics
The geriatric population is the most rapidly growing segment of the population. Aging and systemic diseases and their treatments can influence oral health and function, and it is important for clinicians to be able to recognize, diagnose, and treat oral conditions in the elderly. The purpose of this book is therefore to provide a summary of the influence of aging, systemic disease, and its treatment on oral health. This guide will also provide a suummary of the etiology, clinical apprearance, and treatment of common oral conditions that affect older populations. Topical and systemic drug regimens are provided for the management of commonon oral disorders. It is important to remember that the pharmacokinetics of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion are altered in the elderly, and therefore the clinician should consider changing drug regimens or dosages depending upon concomitant drug therapy, renal and liver function, and the potential for drug reactions.

Oral health is particularly important among the elderly. Older adults are more susceptible to systemic conditions, predisposing them to develop oral and maxillofacial diseases that can directly or indirectly lead to malnutrition, altered communication, increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, and diminished quality of life. Age alone does not seem to play a major role in impaired oral health. Rather, oral diseases, systemic conditions, prescription and nonprescription medications, and head and neck radiotherapy predispose older persons to developing oral and pharyngeal disorders. Therefore the dental profession must be able to diagnose, manage, and ultimately prevent oral disease that may increase morbidity and mortality amoung the elderly..

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