title: Treatment planning considerations in older adults.
abstract: The older patient often presents with clinically challenging dental problems combined with complex medical, social, psychological, and financial barriers to oral health. Through careful consideration, the clinician can design a thoughtfully sequenced treatment plan that addresses dental conditions and facilitates improved oral health. Several models serve to guide the clinician with this endeavor. Treatment planning for a medically complex patient with xerostomia and dementia involves a great deal of uncertainty, which may be attenuated by flexibility and good communication with the patient and all involved parties.
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, 1690 Woodside Road, Suite 209, Redwood City, CA 94061, USA.
authors.forename: Ella M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Oong
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, 1690 Woodside Road, Suite 209, Redwood City, CA 94061, USA. Electronic address: gregan@post.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Gregory K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D010347:Patient Care Planning
keywords: Decision making; Dental; Elderly; Geriatric; Informed consent; Older adults; Oral health; Treatment planning