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Systemic Disease in Dentistry > Elderly Patients > Flashcards

Elderly Patients Flashcards

(44 cards)

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1
Q

Describe the changing demographic with regards to the ageing population

A
  • Population is ageing worldwide
  • Fertility rates declining
  • Dramatically increased life expectancy
  • Global life expectancy will reach 76 by 2045
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2
Q

Name 5 reasons for increasing life expectancy

A
  1. Increasing prosperity
  2. Education
  3. Public hygeine
  4. Improved housing
  5. Advances in healthcare
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3
Q

What are 2 major implications of an ageing population?

A
  1. Funding of healthcare as less economically active people per OAP
  2. Pensions and increasing retirement age
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4
Q

What are 2 major issues of arthritis?

A
  1. Restricted movement

2. Manual dexterity

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5
Q

What is a common medication from a person suffering from arthritis?

A

Pain relief

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6
Q

Describe OHI for a person suffering from arthritis

A
  • Frequency of brushing
  • Technique
  • Modifications to toothbrushes
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7
Q

Describe the management of patients with head and neck cancer

A
  • Patients should be rendered dentally fit prior to radiotherapy treatment
  • Reduce saliva flow post treatment can increase likelihood of caries
  • Meticulous oral hygeine required including saliva substitutes
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8
Q

Name 4 possible causes of xerostomia in elderly adults

A
  1. Radiation therapy
  2. Diabetes
  3. Alzheimers
  4. Medications
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9
Q

Describe the best ways to treat a patient suffering from COPD

A

Upright position while avoiding rubber dams

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10
Q

Name 3 common medications a patient suffering from COPD may be taking

A
  1. Bronchodilators
  2. Corticosteroids
  3. Oxygen
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11
Q

What is the main hazard during treatment for a patient with diabetes?

A

Hypoglycaemia

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12
Q

Name 2 common medications a diabetic patient may be on

A
  1. Insulin

2. Metformin

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13
Q

Describe the considerations for a dentist when treating a diabetic patient

A
  • Ensure patient has eaten and taken medication
  • Prescribed medications can impact glycaemic control
  • Poor wound healing
  • Increased periodontal disease
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14
Q

What are 5 common medications for someone with cardiovascular disease?

A
  1. ACE inhibitors
  2. ARBs
  3. Beta blockers
  4. Diuretics
  5. GTN
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15
Q

What is the most common anticoagulant?

A

Warfarin

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16
Q

Name 4 reasons anticoagulants may be prescribed

A
  1. Prevent blood clotting
  2. Heart disease
  3. Pulmonary embolism
  4. Artificial heart valves
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17
Q

What is the most commonly used anti platelet?

A

Aspirin

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18
Q

Name 3 reasons anti platelet medications may occur

Study These Flashcards
A
  1. Prophylactically to prevent cardiovascular disease
  2. Prophylactically to prevent stroke
  3. Atrial fibrillation
19
Q

What is a common mental health condition in elderly patients?

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A

Cognitive decline and dementia

20
Q

What is the major concern of patients suffering from cognitive decline / dementia?

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A

Issues around consent as patients find it difficult to remember and understand treatment concepts

21
Q

What is osteoporosis?

Study These Flashcards
A

A health condition which weakens bone making them fragile and more likely to break, developing over several years and often only diagnosed when bones fracture

22
Q

How is the diagnosis of osteoporosis carried out?

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A

Bone density scan (DEXA scan)

23
Q

What is the most common medication associated with osteoporosis?

Study These Flashcards
A

Bisphosphonates

24
Q

What are the implications of patients on bisphosphonates in dentistry?

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A

During invasive dental procedures patients are susceptible to ONJ as bone will not heal

25
What is the common medication for Parkinson's Disease?
Levodopa
26
Describe the trends of oral health in older adults
- Increased tooth retention - Reduced rates of edentulousness - Changing attitudes - Partially dentate elderly more common
27
What are more common oral diseases in elderly patients?
Chronic dental diseases e.g caries, periodontal disease, toothwear
28
Describe 4 challenges of an elderly patient's oral environment
1. Fermentable carbohydrates fuel cariogenic bacteria 2. Root surfaces prone to decay 3. Tooth brushing compromised by reduced manual dexterity 4. RPDs can complicate cleaning
29
How does periodontal disease usually present in old age?
Gingival recession
30
Describe root caries
- Disease almost unique to older patients associated with gingival recession - Reduced mechanical cleaning and presence of RPDs - Xerostomia may contribute to problem
31
Name 4 methods of combatting root caries in the elderly
1. High fluoride toothpaste 2. TeePee brushes (easier to use than floss) 3. MI paste 4. Tooth Mousse
32
Describe caries-infected dentine for removal
- Outermost, necrotic zone with mineral component extensively destroyed - High bacterial load - Dentinal tubular structure destroyed
33
Describe caries-affected dentine which should be maintained
- Inner layer - Lower bacterial content, less collagen damage and less mineral dissolution - Dentinal tubular structure gradually returns
34
What is the usual aim of treatment when managing existing restorations?
Repair the restoration rather than replace unless defect is very large
35
What does ART stand for?
Atraumatic Restorative Technique
36
What is ART?
Using hand instruments to remove caries
37
What is the benefit of ART?
Minimum invasive caries removal
38
Describe how teeth are restored following ART?
Adhesive material, most commonly GIC
39
Describe GIC as a restorative material
- Adhesive and chemically cured - Aesthetic - Relatively moisture tolerant
40
When may ART be of particular use regarding elderly patients?
Patients in care homes who receive dental treatment outside of the clinical setting
41
Describe the biological cost of RPDs
- Accumulate plaque - Increase caries and periodontal disease incidence - Increase likelihood of further tooth loss
42
What is functionally orientated treatment?
Based on the Shortened Dental Arch concept where not all natural teeth need to be replaced, only 10 occluding pairs
43
What are 3 benefits of functionally orientated treatment?
1. Low maintenance 2. Well accepted 3. Cost effective
44
Name 4 alternatives to RPDs when restoring teeth to a SDA
1. Conventional fixed prosthodontics 2. Resin bonded bridgework 3. Implants 4. Fibre reinforced composite

Systemic Disease in Dentistry (22 decks)

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