Thanks to all the Baby Boomers out there, Canadians are getting older every year. The percentage of our population over 65 years old (15%) has significantly increased in the past decade. This population has a variety of dental needs, medical conditions, and behavioural characteristics. Our research shows that 95% of seniors still prefer to live independently, in the community. Approximately 5% are homebound, and 17% have mobility issues.
What is Geriodontics?
Geriodontics is the preparation and administration of oral health care to older adults. Also called geriatric dentistry, the term includes the diagnosis, prevention, and dental treatments for older people.
All three Archer Dental clinics cater to senior citizens but wheelchair bound patients and people with special needs can be more professionally treated by an interdisciplinary team (alongside other health care professionals, as necessary) at Archer Dental Baby Point.
The majority of older adults do not require any special treatment with regards to their oral health needs. At Archer Dental, our geriatric dentistry focuses on developing strong relationships with our patients to foster trust and respect. The goal of any geriatric dentist is to provide quality care in order to help seniors feel comfortable during treatment. Our treatments are individually tailored to each patient’s unique dental needs and preferences according to their lifestyle and goals.
Some older adults have developed age related health issues which include medical problems, use of medications, reduced dexterity, increased anxiety, and other unrelated social issues. Generally speaking, senior citizens face an increased chance of becoming ill or diseased as they age and become more frail, more dependent, and more cognitively impaired.
Dental Elder Abuse Response (D.E.A.R.) Project
Poor or neglected oral health can be a form of elder abuse and it is a serious issue. Dental elder abuse can cause pain, suffering and illness for the older person. It can even lead to cases of preventable death. Dental Elder Abuse Response (D.E.A.R.) Project is a passion project for Dr. Archer.
Geriodontics at Archer Dental Baby Point
With the population becoming older around the world, dentists are confronted with patients who have complex medical histories and who rightly deserve a wider range of services, including restorative, preventative, and diagnostic care. Dr. Archer has over ten years of geriatric dentistry experience and will make sure every patient, family member, or caregiver is informed about all services and procedures.
Archer Dental Baby Point specializes in providing care to a diverse clientele with medical, physical, developmental or cognitive conditions, but we also provide care to anyone within the community looking for a dentist. We put an emphasis on preventative education. We want to make sure each patient is educated and provided with information on oral disease, the importance of a proper diet, patient-specific oral hygiene methods and techniques to increase tooth resistance.
We specialize in making sure you, your family member or your caregiver are properly trained to make sure you can keep oral wellness optimal between dental visits.