title: Systemic diseases and the elderly.
abstract: Although systemic diseases can occur at any age, they are more common in older patients. Accurate and detailed medical and drug histories are important in dental practice as many conditions and medications can influence oral health and dental care in patients. Not only can these conditions influence patient care in the surgery and oral hygiene at home, but access to dental services may also be adversely affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The systemic diseases can impact upon oral care or can have oral manifestations. Many of the pharmacological interventions prescribed for chronic conditions can have multiple and diverse adverse effects on the oral environment.
authors.affiliation: Oral Medicine Unit, Cork University Dental School and Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McCreary
authors.forename: Richeal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ni Riordáin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy