Oral Care Needs, Barriers and Challenges Among Elderly in India
Oral Care Needs, Barriers and Challenges Among Elderly in India
Oral Care Needs, Barriers and Challenges Among Elderly in India
18]
Original Article
Objective: This paper presents an approach to the assessment of oral health needs of elderly and barriers
Abstract to receive oral care in the life course.
Background: The dental needs of the elderly are changing and growing day by day. The management of older
patients requires not only an understanding of the medical and dental aspects of ageing but also provide them
good oral health service. In the life course of elderly there are many hurdles to receive proper oral care. The
use of an assessment of oral health need will be essential in the development of care pathways to the elderly.
Methods: The proportion of older people is growing faster than that of any other age group. There is no
sound database regarding the oral disease burden and treatment needs of the elderly in India. Physical and
biological barriers with age can also affect oral health care either directly or indirectly.
Conclusion: Oral care guidelines designed to assist elderly should consider not only prevention and
treatment modalities but also the means of implementing such therapies in varying settings and utilizing
the whole dental team.
Key Words: Barrier in care of elderly, elderly patients, geriatric patients, oral health needs
DOI: The dental needs of the elderly are changing and growing.
10.4103/0972-4052.155044 The management of older patients requires not only an
understanding of the medical and dental aspects of ageing,
but also many other factors such as ambulation, independent Americans who would have liked to visit a dentist during the
living, socialization, and sensory function.[6] previous year, almost 50% gave their age as a reason but the
inference was that decreased mobility was a factor influencing
Recent surveys[7] indicate that older dentate people utilize many although only 20% identified transport problems as a
dental services less than any other dentate age group. Patient barrier to receipt of care. Similar values were reported by Kail
utilization of dental services is predominantly a consequence and Silver.[19]
of patient‑perceived need for such treatment and therefore
perceived need has been considered to be an accurate predictor Fear
of utilization of dental services.[8‑10] According to Todd and Ladder[7] most people experience some
apprehension at the prospect of a dental visit, and others have
Although there is evidence to suggest that attitudes toward identified fear as a real barrier to the receipt of care in older
and perception of dental care are influenced by former dental people.[13,20] Further, Locker et al.[21] stated that the greater the
experiences,[11] this factor is unlikely to be the sole cause for level of anxiety, the lower the rate of utilization of services.
the large difference between perceived and normative needs The basis of such fear is difficult to quantify and a qualitative
for dental care.[12,13] study of adults between 16 and 59 years demonstrated that
some had an indefinable generalized fear of things, some
Age had specific fear to, for example “the drill” or “needles” or
Ettinger and Beck undertook an impressive study of 2000 fear of a repeat of a painful visit or of reprimand from the
subjects, who were living independently and identified four age dentist. Locker et al.[21] demonstrated that significantly more
groups; 18–60 years, 60–64 years (the new elderly), 65–74 edentulous patients identified fear as a barrier than did their
(the transition group) and >75 age group (the old elderly). It dentate counterparts. This may have been the consequence
was reported that the two younger groups had similar attitudes of considerably more exposure to exodontias and its inherent
toward dentistry and that the new elderly had significantly more implications, or it may point to an underlying fear of dentistry
favorable attitudes toward dental care than the old elderly.[11] which precluded regular (restorative) dental care.
Socioeconomic status CARER RELATED BARRIERS
Townsend et al.[14] demonstrated that utilization of preventive
health care is highest among higher social classes. A facile If holistic care of older patients is to be practiced, then
explanation might be that more affluent patients are able awareness of dental care must be present among careers of our
to overcome any financial barrier to dental care.[15] Kiyak[16] elderly population. The onus of providing dental education
has suggested that the higher social classes tend to be better for careers is they medical practitioners, registered nurses or
educated and are potentially more likely to be familiar with well‑meaning relatives rests on the dental profession. Studies
and to adopt favorable attitudes toward the maintenance of in England have highlighted deficiencies in knowledge of basic
oral health. oral hygiene among all of these careers.[22]
Poor confidence ‑ Several studies have demonstrated that a In addition to self‑care and professional care, environmental
significant number of dentists feel some diffidence in the factors also have an impact on the prevention of oral disease in
treatment of older patients, for a variety of reasons including elders. Recent studies have shown that root caries and coronal
lack of knowledge about gerontology, including drug caries rates are lower for life‑long residents of fluoridated
interactions.[27‑29] communities as compared with nonfluoridated communities;
there is also benefit for older adults who began exposure to
Access and venues ‑ Are also perceived to be determinants fluoridated water in adulthood.[38,39]
toward provision of care for elderly. Patients with problems
of mobility, for example, are less likely to visit dental clinics RESTORATIVE MANAGEMENT FOR ELDERLY
where stairs have to be climbed.
The selection of restorative techniques in older adults is
Financial ‑ An additional dental‑related factor relates to more or less similar to that in younger population. However,
remuneration and the consensus view of several studies permissible direct plastic restorative materials are preferred in
suggests that fees for treatment on a domiciliary basis are the former as these restorations can be readily and inexpensively
insufficient to encourage dentists to perform more domiciliary repaired or replaced. Owing to the presence of several risk
treatment.[20,27,30] factors, caries activity is quite high and, therefore, requires
frequent maintenance which might not be easily done in an
The World Health Organization discussion paper on health and indirect restoration.[40,41]
aging indicated, “we can afford to get old if countries, regions
and international organizations enact “active ageing” policies “Smile has no age bar.” Most of the elderly lead an independent
and programmers that enhance the health, independence, and social life and are, therefore, conscious about their appearance.
productivity of older women and men.” The time to plan and The esthetic treatment for elderly could range from simple
to act is now.[31‑33] recontouring procedures to bleaching, laminates and crowns.
Any major esthetic rehabilitation should be undertaken only
COMMON ORAL PROBLEMS IN THE ELDERLY after proper occlusal and esthetic analysis to achieve predictable
results.
Preventive dentistry must be concerned with the three
levels of prevention in the adults, which are not fully Successful endodontic can be achieved for the elderly, if
edentulous: proper attention is given to the diagnosis, good quality
• Prevent the initiation of disease radiographs and adapting techniques that overcome the
• Prevent progression and recurrence[34] challenges posed by calcification of the root canal system.
• Prevent loss of function and loss of life.[35] As long as the tooth has a strategically important role to
play, endodontic therapy is indicated and justified in any
Recommended oral self‑care consists of tooth‑brushing twice patient.
daily, use of fluoride toothpaste, daily interdental cleaning,
and avoidance of sugar.[6] Regardless of dentate status, it is PERIODONTAL TREATMENT FOR ELDERLY
recommended that the elderly make dental visits at least every
6 months for clinical reevaluation, depending upon their ability Conservative, nonsurgical treatment may be the best therapeutic
to perform oral hygiene.[36] option for the major portion of older adults who require
periodontal therapy.
Many older adults have difficulty achieving effective daily
plaque control. Various bristle and handle designs are available In those individuals for whom initial therapy alone is inadequate
in either manual or powered (electric or sonic) brushes for such to resolve the periodontal problem, surgical intervention is
patients. For patients with difficulty holding a toothbrush indicated. This decision should be made only after considering
because of arthritis or stroke, devices are available to facilitate the many circumstances that may override the decision to
brushing. Wider floss, Teflon‑coated floss, floss holders, intervene surgically. Surgical treatment may consist of simple
proximal brushes and even electric flosses are available. gingivectomy where there is ample attached gingiva or may
involve a flap procedure such as modified Widman or apical
Those with reduced ability to perform oral self‑care should repositioning.[42]
be seen more frequently for prophylaxis. Since denture‑related
and other oral mucosa lesions are common in the elderly, Surgical techniques are also performed to achieve crown
edentulous patients should be periodically evaluated by dental lengthening, which may be necessary in the elderly patient
professionals.[37] who is prone to root caries and fractured teeth at or below the
gingiva. Dental implants may be a viable option for restoring • Ability to diagnose treatment needs of aging patients
the debilitated dentition in certain elderly individuals. • Ability to perform specialized procedures (especially
prosthodontic treatment)
PROSTHODONTIC MANAGEMENT OF ELDERLY • Management of the elderly.
PATIENTS
Attitudes
The main aim of success of prosthodontic treatment is to • Empathy/understanding
maintain the teeth. If the remaining teeth have a poor prognosis, • Caring/compassion
then they can be planned for overdenture abutment. Where • Positive attitude toward, and enjoyment of, older patients
complete dentures are provided, these can be retained using • Respect for the elderly patient
dental implants to overcome many of the problems associated • Flexibility in treatment planning (keeping planning
with conventional replacement dentures. realistic).
HOW CAN WE EFFECTIVELY APPROACH
GERIATRIC POPULATION? Geriatric dental education programs must address each of
these categories and must be made available to all professionals
Enhancing the dental office environment for the elderly and paraprofessionals providing oral health services directly or
Delivery of health care services to the elderly in a community indirectly. Programs developed to prepare dental professionals
setting requires accessible buildings and an environment that to treat the geriatric patient must address the entire spectrum
can be negotiated with safety. Dental office reception room of “health and well‑being.”
is intended to be comfortable and inviting space for geriatric
patients. In order to allow individuals with walkers or canes MEDIA
to negotiate in safety, there must be a clear path of at least
28 inches wide in the room and through doorways. Tiles or Educational newsletters and material should be circulated.
wood floors should have a nonskid surface and be free of A number of business and appointment cards and brochures
scatter rugs.[43] Firm, standard height chairs with arms should could be printed in extra‑large type. Large‑print leisure and
be used for support. Adequate lighting should be provided in educational material should be available in the reception
each room to minimize any visual disorientation or mental room. Articles on geriatric dentistry could be placed in seniors’
confusion.[44] A portable audio amplifier with headset can magazines and newspapers, and informative talks given to
help the dental professional communicate with the very hard community groups to demonstrate a willingness and ability
of hearing patients. Large type magazines, newspapers, health to treat medically compromised clients.[46]
education brochures and patient information sheets will be COMMUNICATION
appreciated by the older patients.[43]
An important element in effectively developing an awareness
Geriatric dental education
of oral prevention is communication skills. Communication
It is of utmost importance for dental surgeons to be well
with the older adult can be a rewarding, enriching experience
trained, understanding and compassionate, and to be aware of
especially when certain principles of adult learning are
the special needs of the elderly population. Kress and Vidmar
used. Communication is a two‑way process. Many times
surveyed 50 experts in geriatric dentistry to determine the
questions of a patient’s history, family, or likes/dislikes
30 major areas of competence for a geriatric dentist. The top
are appreciated. Being a patient listener is a critical skill to
five categories in each domain were listed.[45]
develop for communicating with any individual regardless
Knowledge of age‑and can be particularly important in dealing with
• Psychology and sociology of aging the oral adult.
• Disease of aging
• Pharmacology and drug interaction Remember the patient is a person first and a patient second.
• Biology and physiology of aging Individuality should be explored and nurtured. In that
• General medicine/systemic diseases. way, treatment can be more easily customized. Inquiring
about past hobbies or areas of interest can open the door
Skills for the older adult to share part of his or her life. Though
• Ability to communicate with elderly patients and other difficult to always remember, effort must be made to
providers realize‑especially with the frail‑they have not always been
• Ability to adapt treatment plans for the elderly as they appear now.[34]