Key dental problems of an elderly patient: interdisciplinary educational platform

Abstract

Objective. To analyze the key dental problems of an elderly patient, to justify interdisciplinary approaches to diagnostics, treatment and prevention of age-associated diseases of the oral cavity and maxillofacial region. Materials and methods. The materials of the international interdisciplinary discourse on the problem of Elderly patient: panorama of the challenges of modern dentistry are summarized. The most urgent and not completely solved problems of modern gerodontology are highlighted based on the analysis of new and updated specialized scientific information, as well as generalization of the experience of own clinical observations in the provision of dental (medical) care to the elderly. Results. Updated definitions of the aging process of the body are presented, its main patterns are revealed. The significance of determining the aging profile by organismal, molecular, cellular and genetic indicators is revealed. Promising laboratory parameters for assessing biological age / aging rate based on the analysis of oral fluid and cytological material of the oral epithelium are presented. The importance of intersystem interactions between a dentist and internists (therapists, cardiologists, dermatologists, neurologists, etc.) for the provision of effective and safe dental care to the elderly has been determined. New data on the nature of age-related changes in the hard dental tissues, periodontium, oral mucosa, oral oncopathology, as well as features of the manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of major age-associated oral diseases are disclosed. Conclusions. The peculiarities of dental treatment of elderly patients are regulated taking into account the necessary volumes, time regulations, ergonomics, sanitary and antiepidemic regime, methods of conducting, used therapeutic agents and materials. The significance of the development of new interdisciplinary educational platforms on the problems of gerodontology for dentists of various profiles is determined.