Key Points

• The demographic of older adults (i.e., 65 years of age and older) is growing and likely will be an increasingly large part of dental practice in the coming years.
• Although better than in years past, the typical aging patient’s baseline health state can be complicated by comorbid conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus) and physiologic changes associated with aging.
• Older adults may regularly use several prescription and/or over-the-counter medications, making them more vulnerable to medication errors, drug interactions or adverse drug reactions.
• Potential physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments associated with aging may make home oral health care and patient education/communications challenging.
• Dental conditions associated with aging include dry mouth (xerostomia), root and coronal caries, and periodontitis; patients may show increased sensitivity to drugs used in dentistry, including local anesthetics and analgesics.