Dental Practice and Geriatric Patients

The elderly population has been growing steadily since the last century. Certainly, the improving living conditions, advances in medicine and the biomedical sciences have been major factors in the increase of life expectancy. It is known that good oral health is a critical factor in maintaining general health which is no exception in older people. Unfortunately, geriatric oral health has not been given due importance in the developing countries. Hence the objective of this study was to explore the private dental practitioners' knowledge and perceptions about aging, psycho-social influencers and oral health care of their geriatric patients. Existence of a serious illness is the major mental health factor which influences the oral health of older adults. Being independent with in the home is the major physical factor influencing the oral health and among the social factors isolation is the most influential.