Oral Health Factors Related to Rapid Oral Health Deterioration among Older Adults: A Narrative Review.

Older adults who face systemic health issues and lack adequate social support are at risk for oral health deterioration. How rapidly such changes take place depends on the severity of their medical condition and their ability to access oral health services in a timely manner. The management of dental caries and periodontal disease in this cohort is made complex by the interaction of local and host factors such as the presence of dry mouth, involvement of root surfaces, and altered wound healing. in addition to enhanced maintenance needs to avoid recurrence or progression. Tooth replacement can be beneficial in restoring oral function, allowing patients to enjoy a healthy and nutritious diet but requires careful consideration to avoid further damage to remaining dental units. Establishing a dental home for the older adult can facilitate routine surveillance, disease prevention, and patient/caregiver education to achieve oral health goals commensurate with overall health. This narrative review details oral health factors that are related to rapid oral health deterioration among older adults.

Dental innovations which will influence the oral health care of baby boomers.

From the widespread use of smartphones and tablets to the multitude of applications available, older adults are showing an interest in utilizing technology to maintain their independence and to improve their quality of life. As technology continues to advance and be incorporated into many day-to-day activities, the baby boom generation will see these changes affecting the way they access and utilize dental services. Innovative toothbrushes and chemotherapeutics are continuing to be developed and utilized by many older adults. Within the dental office, older adults are seeing greater application of technology in every day dental procedures. These include the use of teledentistry, artificial intelligence (AI), innovative restorative materials, digitization of fixed and removable prosthodontics, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans to guide dental implant placement and endodontic procedures. There is also new technology to aid in cancer detection and shielding during cancer treatment. Improved communication between the medical and dental fields has become increasingly necessary to facilitate effective patient care and a few innovative healthcare systems have begun to consolidate these services. Overall, the baby boom generation will continue to see dental innovations that will change the way they experience everyday life and dental services.

Implementation of an online treatment planning exercise focused on vulnerable patient groups.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented formidable challenges in our ability to impart in-person extra-mural clinical training, including the Geriatric and Special Needs Program, to a group of 20 fourth-year dental students. A new course delivery format was developed wherein students used a validated Rapid Oral Health Deterioration (ROHD) risk assessment tool to critically appraise clinical case information relating to a young adult with special needs. In the alternative virtual educational approach that was created, students applied an interprofessional practice concept leading to patient treatment planning outcomes. Providing adequate information, additional reading resources, a response template, clear instructions and a process-oriented assessment policy all ensured a good level of participation from students in the alternative learning format. An association was noted between students' staging of risk for ROHD and their subsequent recommendations for treatment.