Geriatric dentistry

Geriatric Dentistry is the area of Dentistry that studies, diagnoses, treats and prevents oral diseases in people over 60 years of age.

Follow-up by a gerodontist.

Geriatric dentistry focuses on the oral health of older adults, addressing the specific needs of this typically more fragile and medically compromised population. The natural aging process brings significant changes to the structures and dynamics of the oral cavity, which are exacerbated by systemic diseases and chronic medication use . Therefore, it is important to provide specialized care to these patients so that they maintain function, comfort, and aesthetics—in other words, their quality of life.

The need to create this new specialty is mainly due to two major factors:

Increased life expectancy and, consequently, the need for greater prevention, thus contributing to healthy aging;
Greater need for oral treatment, which, in old age, is mainly based on periodontal pathology (inflammation and infection of the tooth’s supporting tissues caused by bacterial plaque).

Treatments

The objective of specializing dentists in this area of dentistry is to provide better and more efficient oral health care for elderly people : the geriatric dentist has more in-depth knowledge of the organism of this type of patient, therefore, he is able to offer a more accurate diagnosis and propose more appropriate treatments .

Consultations should be light: starting with the anamnesis (interview conducted by the health professional), a very important step for good treatment and essential in preventing complications.

This step should be carried out cautiously and with understanding, as elderly patients often forget to remember medications or illnesses and fail to report them. Empathy is essential in geriatric dentistry care, as is a humanized initial contact to create a climate of trust and security .

At this stage, old prescriptions, medications used continuously or frequently, reports of previous exams and documents that help the patient remember the clinical picture are also evaluated.

Schedule an evaluation appointment

During your first appointment at our clinic, you will be given an assessment by Dr. Dárcio Fonseca.

During this consultation, an accurate diagnosis is made and the best treatment solution is presented to you, along with a quote.

At beclinique , the first consultation is considered a highly important step in our patients’ journey. Each diagnosis must be accurate and personalized.

This consultation includes:

Orthopantomography
Photographic protocol
Treatment plan