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Geriatric oral and maxillofacial dysfunctions in the context of geriatric syndrome
Author(s) -
Nam Y,
Kim NH,
Kho HS
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
oral diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.953
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1601-0825
pISSN - 1354-523X
DOI - 10.1111/odi.12647
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , medicine , geriatric dentistry , geriatrics , dentistry , dermatology , oral health , psychiatry , biology , paleontology
Objectives To propose the application of the concept of geriatric syndrome for common geriatric oral and maxillofacial dysfunctions and to suggest the necessity of developing effective evaluation methods for oral and maxillofacial frailty. Design The concepts of frailty and geriatric syndrome based on multi‐morbidity and polypharmacy were applied to five common geriatric oral medicinal dysfunctional problems: salivary gland hypofunction (dry mouth), chronic oral mucosal pain disorders (burning mouth symptoms), taste disorders (taste disturbances), swallowing disorders (dysphagia), and oral and maxillofacial movement disorders (oromandibular dyskinesia and dystonia). Results Each of the dysfunctions is caused by various kinds of diseases and/or conditions and medications, thus the concept of geriatric syndrome could be applied. These dysfunctions, suggested as components of oral and maxillofacial geriatric syndrome, are associated and interacted with each other in a complexity of vicious cycle. The resulting functional impairments caused by this syndrome can cause oral and maxillofacial frailty. Conclusions Geriatric oral and maxillofacial dysfunctions could be better appreciated in the context of geriatric syndrome. The development of effective methods for evaluating the severity of these dysfunctions and the resulting frailty is essential.