Reference/Features

Dental health and the ageing population

7 mins read Elderly care Oral health and mouth cancer Orthodontics
Oral health is an important but often overlooked aspect of an older adult's general health. Daily oral hygiene, ability to access routine professional oral health services, and oral health education are all key factors that can improve the oral health of older people

The UK has an ageing population. Increased life expectancy and less people having children means that by 2020 the expected population of those aged 65 and over will rise from the current 15.7% to 18.9%. The British Dental Association (BDA, 2003) believe that ‘the change in the composition of the UK population will have an effect on dental practice and an impact on the training and skills required by health and social care professionals’. As people live longer and retain their natural teeth conditions such as root caries and dry mouth will be prevalent creating a need for complex treatment to restore and maintain the dentition.

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