I’m getting too old for these teeth

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  Posted by: manpreet.boora      27th September 2017

There can be no denying that the UK population is getting older. In the next few years, the healthcare needs of more and more people will begin to change and, as such, it is crucial that dentists take steps now to ensure that they are capable of offering the best service and care to older patients.

Indeed, our oral health naturally begins to deteriorate the older we become and conditions such as xerostomia, periodontitis, dental caries and tooth loss, become more likely with age.

As we know, these oral health issues can have a direct impact on our general health – which increases the risks of serious problems as we get older. Tooth loss, in particular – no matter the causal factor – can lead to low self-esteem, not to mention functional impairment. Of course, nutritional intake can be impacted by this and, in turn, general health. Similarly, periodontitis has been demonstrably linked with a number of other health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer – all of which pose a greater risk to older patients.

As such, it is necessary for dental professionals to prepare themselves for a future where patients may be more susceptible to oral health conditions. Currently, there is a focus on preventive dental care, which helps patients maintain a good standard of oral health for longer – and which will ultimately help professionals provide patients with adequate care in the future.

Clinical considerations are just one part of the solution, however. Professionals must also consider how they will adapt their service to the changing needs of the population. For example, there are many other age-related complications that have the potential to impact patients’ quality of dental care. With age, a person’s mobility can be significantly impaired, so can their ability to sit comfortably for prolonged periods of time.

The layout of the treatment area, therefore, must be conducive to comfort and accessibility – which means the equipment that one uses must be able to accommodate a wide range of patients. For example, older patients may not be able to enter or exit a dental chair as easily as a younger patient could. Nor will they be able to sit as comfortably for prolonged periods of time, especially if they have conditions such as arthritis. This means that the chair a dentist chooses must have a high level of ergonomic comfort and accessibility, to ensue that older patients can receive treatment easily and comfortably.

Dental chairs from A-dec, for example, are renowned for their ergonomic features – including advanced pressure-mapping technology that ensures all patients can sit comfortably during their appointments. A-dec chairs also feature smooth articulation points, to ensure that patients can be maneuvered into the best positions possible – and will also aid them when entering or exit the chair itself.

For more information about A-dec Dental UK Ltd, visit
www.a-dec.co.uk or call on 0800 2332 85

Christopher Cox author bio

Christopher Cox has been working at A-dec since 2005, when he started as an Administrative Assistant. From then, he worked his way up through the company, as a Project Co-ordinator, Project Manager, Territory Manager for Institutional Sales, Special Markets Manager and, now, the Sales & Marketing Manager. In this time, Christopher has developed a thorough understanding of the dental market and remains dedicated to promoting the A-dec brand and bringing first-class solutions to more and more professionals.


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