| Abstrakt: |
This thesis describes the oral health of community-dwelling older people who visit a dental practice as seen from the perspective of both the older person and the dentist. In addition, the oral health care provided by dentists and the barriers they may perceive are described. The older people who still visit the dentist are relatively healthy, well-educated, and dentate. As they grow older, they face increasing health problems, increased medication use and oral health issues. The age of 75 seems to be a tipping point. Dentists are mainly providing curative care, focusing on preserving the dentition. In the assessment of oral health, older people appeared to assess their own oral health more positively than the dentist. The barriers in the provision of oral health care were mainly related to health problems, misunderstood behaviour, and poor daily oral hygiene by the older people. Earlier identified barriers appeared to be related to knowledge, practice conditions and financial reimbursement for the work. |
