title: Medical history and risk assessment.
abstract: The "graying" of America has resulted in dentists treating increased numbers of elderly patients, 60% of whom are dentate. Since the majority of elderly persons has at least one chronic disease, this chapter addresses critical aspects of history taking and risk assessment for the geriatric dental patient. Self-administered questionnaires have limitations in the geriatric population and the medical history must emphasize functional status, medication use, social support, and financial considerations. Common chronic diseases which potentially increase the risk of adverse events for the geriatric patient undergoing dental care are discussed. Effective dentist-physician communication is pivotal to the successful management of the elderly dental patient.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver 80220, USA.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: LaRocca
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Jahnigen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003142:Communication; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005382:Financing, Personal; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires