Clinical epidemiologic concerns and the geriatric prosthodontic patient.
Investigations of the oral health of the elderly leave little doubt that disease and dysfunction are plentiful, although there is some debate on how the clinical observations translate into treatment needs. The problems appear to be greatest among the disabled and the institutionalized, whereas dentists generally show little enthusiasm for offering their services outside the confines of the traditional dental practice. Consequently the oral health concerns in the older population, and especially as they relate to prosthodontic treatment, remain substantially unanswered.
Division of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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MacEntee
D000368:Aged; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003778:Dentures; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*