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Kuan Yu Chu

Abstract

This article explores the safety and principles of medication in geriatric dentistry. Dental care for older adults is becoming increasingly important in the aging society. However, few attempts have been made to suggest medication considerations in the clinical practice of geriatric dentistry. A clinical literature review on three aspects: aging and pharmacology of drugs, polypharmacy in older adults, and commonly used drugs in geriatric dentistry. The pharmacology of older adults is different from that of the young. Adverse drug reactions (ADR) in older people are often caused by polypharmacy. Odontogenic pain treatment focuses on controlling the cause by non-pharmacological treatment. Additionally, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be used cautiously in older patients with a history of peptic ulcer, renal, or cardiovascular disease. In cases of contraindications to NSAIDs, acetaminophen is used as an alternative. Moreover, the abuse and unreasonable use of antibiotics can cause antimicrobial resistance. In the case of polypharmacy in older people, the geriatric dentist should pay attention to their current medication and medical history. The dentist should determine the cause, diagnose the patient as soon as possible, and treat the cause of pain with non-pharmacological therapy rather than medication. In addition, the dentist should be familiar with the drugs used, their indications, and ADR. Furthermore, educating older patients about the requirement for medication adherence and regular check on the drug used is necessary to confirm its efficacy and adverse reactions‎.

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