IMPROVING THE ORAL HEALTH OF OLDER ADULTS

This article describes the available literature on the current oral he alth status of older adults and its impact on self-perception and qual ity of life. Studies assessing levels of knowledge, attitudes toward o ral health, and preventive dental behaviors are reviewed to help ident ify promotional and preventive strategies necessary to improve the ora l health of this population. Successful strategies target various dent al health concerns of elderly people, including those with special nee ds, and must be structured at the individual, professional, and public health levels.