Star of the North Meeting

Geriatric dental care has become more important than ever with the rapid growth of the older population and increased recognition of the impact of oral health on overall health. But an increasing number of older patients also presents dental professionals with significant challenges in clinical care, including the need to provide safe and effective treatment despite multiple chronic medical conditions and potential disabilities. This presentation will provide a stepwise approach to recognizing and managing key medical risk factors in older adults and reducing the chance of medical complications related to dental treatment.

Learning Objectives:
1) Describe the potential peri-operative medical complications in older adults.
2) Recognize key indicators of medical risk and patient stability in older adults.
3) Employ strategies to reduce stressors and avoid medical complications in older adults during the course of treatment.
4) Employ additional strategies to avoid medical problems or emergencies after dental treatment in older adults.