The geriatric dental patient.

The life expectancy of our citizens has increased due to better living conditions and medical care. This poses new challenges to dental surgeons because geriatric dental patients have different needs brought on by ageing. Tooth loss, periodontal disease, alveolar bone resorption, mucosal changes, edentulism are just some of the problems faced by the elderly. Recognition of the dental needs of this special category of the population compels us to bear the responsibility of treating them now and in the future. We require a gerodontology programme that emphasizes prevention, maintenance of the oral health and understanding of their psychological status.