Evaluating psychosocial function in elderly dental patients.
Comprehensive dental care for older adults includes an understanding of, and sensitivity to, the psychosocial changes with age that can influence oral health care, including emotional functioning, anxiety, depression, cognitive functioning, alcohol and substance use, social support, and elder abuse and neglect. A case vignette highlights the contribution of an interdisciplinary psychosocial assessment to the oral health care of elderly patients.
Division of Public Health and Community Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry, 90095-1668, USA.
Melanie W
MW
Gironda
D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis