Aging and oral health for the 21st century.
Americans' oral health, along with their life expectancy, has improved dramatically during the 20th century. The 21st century offers dental professionals the opportunity to help patients maintain their oral health for a lifetime. This article describes trends in health and wellness among older adults that will affect use of dental services; reviews risk factors such as chronic diseases, medications, and nursing home placement that will increase oral diseases in older adults; and concludes with opportunities for dental leadership to improve the oral health of aging Americans.
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DENTSPLY International, 570 West College, York, PA 17405, USA.
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D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009909:Oral Health; D014481:United States