Literature Review |
Aging
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Bomberg, T. Improving the Dental Office Environment
for the Older Patient. J. Am. Dent. Assoc., 108:789; 1984.
The older dental patient can be more effectively treated if we recognize age-associated
physiologic changes.
Hearing:
Most common sensory change observed. The loss in function causes high pitched sounds to become
inaudible. Therefore, existing background noise must be assessed and eliminated. Shouting is no
value to theses people as it results in a booming unintelligible sound. Speak loudly and clearly
and ask for verbal feedback.
Vision:
Most noticable changes are in acuity ( Ability to see objects at a distance) and in accomodation
(the ability to focus on near objects). Compromising changes also include the slowing of adaptation
to light and dark. Optimally paper colors of white and ivory should be used and a larger print used.
Taste:
Evidence indicates that all four taste qualities (sweet, salt, bitter, and sour) increase in
threshold after age 50. This may have some nutritional impact.
Smell:
This may be a safety problem. Inability to detect escaping gas or smoke. Also inability to smell
the food may also have a nutritional impact.
Pain:
Older people appear not to feel pain as much. But this is have to quantify and very subjective.
Sense of Balance:
Maximum sensitivity to the sense of balance appears to occur between the ages of 40 and 50.
Older people tend to fall more that young people. Handrails and personal assitance will
ensure saftel of the older patient.
Psychomotor Performance:
This may be related to the decline of sensory signals. This can contribute to the difficulty
in maintaining satisfactory oral hygiene care.
Cocnlusion:
Consideration demonstrated to the elderly patient reflects favorably on the dental profession
and the dental office.
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