Choosing the ethical road for frail patients

Frailty is increasing among the world's aging population as a natural consequence of their increased age but also in relation to the multiple health and functional deficits that these individuals experience. One of the first signs of frailty is the inability to maintain good oral hygiene. This results from compromises in the individual's agility, strength, eyesight, and motivation. With this in mind, the dentist is in a unique position to address frailty in older patients. However, dentists must also respect the autonomy of frail patients while continuing to ensure they can maintain good oral health.
Source: Dental Abstracts - Category: Dentistry Tags: Commentary Source Type: research