Students will learn specific dental problems in elderly age. They will learn preventive procedures and specifics in treatment of oral cavity diseases and dental rehabilitation in elderly age, and adjustment of dental treatment and rehabilitation due to presence of system diseases. Students will repeat basic procedures of reanimation and will learn to conduct it. Special emphasis is on providing emergency medical treatment in dental practice. Pain reducing in elderly age is also considered.
Physiology of aging. The most common system diseases of elderly people. Consequences of system disease and drug usage to oral health of elderly people. Aging changes of oral cavity (teeth, periodontal tissue, oral mucosa, salivary glands, jaws, motor, and sensory functions). Meaning, specifics, and cavity treatment (cavity on the root, secondary cavity) and diseases of periodontal tissue in elderly people. The most common diseases of oral mucosa in elderly people, basics of treatment. Prosthetic devices for elderly people: morphologic - physiologic specifics. Diagnostics and planning of dental treatment and rehabilitation of elderly people. Adjustment of dental - prosthetic rehabilitation to various psychophysical states of patients (concept of shortened teeth arches, functional and aesthetic supply, rebuilding of old or creation of new dental substitutes). Specifics of choice and work method with material for filling for elderly people. Specifics of endodontic diagnostics in treatment of elderly people. Oral surgery in elderly people. Pre-prosthetic surgery due to jaw atrophy. Implant disposal in elderly people. Repeated procedures in previously treated elderly people, adjustment of elements and procedures in rehabilitation with various mobile prosthetic devices. Confirmation of clinical death. Determination of consciousness state. Specifics of reanimation in dental orthodontics. Basic principles of pain reduction in dental practice.
Required course materials:
Ćatović A. i sur. Odabrana poglavlja iz gerontostomatologije, Stomatološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Skripta, Zagreb, 2004.
Supplemental course materials:
- Holm-Pedersen P, Loe H. Textbook of Geriatric Dentistry. Copenhagen: Munksgaard; 1996.
- Budtz-Jorgensen E. Prosthodontics for the Elderly. Chicago: Quintessence; 1999.
- Duraković i sur. Gerijatrija - Medicina starije dobi. Zagreb: C.T.Poslovne informacije; 2007.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify the communication skills needed to work with an elderly patient;
- To determine the possibilities of providing dental health care to elderly patients;
- Design and develop the needs of preventive measures for the preservation and promotion of oral health in old age;
- Critically evaluate the interdisciplinary cooperation with dentists of different specialties.
