Conference ReportsinunwtiotHil Conference on Geriatric Dentislty

AnuriiJin Sociily for (kriatric Dentistry, European College of Gerodontology (ECG) andMcCill I'nivirsit) MontrealMcCill I'nivirsit). Montreal,CaiKiJa. (KtolxM 1 - 3

I ho scciK'-settinj; address "(Icriatric Dentistry inthe New Millennium" ol this Trans Atlantics\iiiposiuni\\.isi;i\enb> Linda Nicsscn(Denlsply)li>llo\\ed l\\ ;i report on "Impact ol Functional

on Oral Health" frotn Poul Holm-Pederscn (Norwa\ ) and Kristcn Avlund(Denmark). I wo C anadian speakers reported onSi>tt tissue lesmns in the Lieriatric patient (MartinTN lcr) and Parkinson s disease (Michael Panisset)which were followed by a report and film onla rd ivc d\skinesia b\ Saul Kamen (USA).Alzheitner s disease \\ as then discussed by SergeGauthior (Canada) and Ina Nilschke (Germany),the latter stating that thete is no e\idence on adevelopment or an impairment of the clinicalcondition caused b\ atnalgam fillings. A verymoving presentation was gi \en by MichaelWiseman (Canada), the local host and organiserof the meeting, on "Oral Problems in HospiceCare". He ga\e a \cry practical and "hands-on"description of the palliati\ e treatment he providesfor his tenninallN ill patients. Dental managementof detnented patients was the subjeet of RonaldEttinger"s presentation (USA). He pleaded lor aclear and consequent treatment plan rather thancunsecuti\e measures along with the clinicalnecessities. Cees de Baat (Netherlands) reviewedcriticalls the literature on dental implants in oldage and w eakened worries on integrating implants

in a gerodontological treatment concept despite themajor concern of an inadequate level of oralhygiene. The effects of age and tooth loss onmastication and nutrition were described by RobinHeath and Angus Walls (both UK). Despite theunfavourable time on Sunday morning, MichaelMacEntee (Canada) attracted a full auditorium withhis talk on "Who is the Oral Health Care Providerin Long-Term Care?". He described his researchon the propensity for treatment among disabledciders, and his clinical ideas on a strategy for oralhealth-care in Vancouver's LTC facilities. Theremarkable personal engagement of Markus Roller(Switzerland) made the acquisition of a mobiletreatment unit (mobident®) possible. Three dentalunits, a x-ray and laboratory unit as well as acomplete sterilisation can be unfolded and installedin any living room within 1 hour. His committedpresentation was complemented by an interviewon Swiss television. The papers and abstracts ofthe meeting will be published in due course inGerodontology and thus will be made available toa wide readership.

Following this successful event the ASGD andthe ECG are planning another joint conference tobe held in Italy in September 2001.

Frauke Miiller.Immediate Past President ECG

\N HO ANorking Group Continuing Education Programs

(reprinted from the GORG Newsletter)

On 30 October - 2 November 1999 the WHO\VorkinL' Group on Continuing EducationPitigrams lOr Health Care Providers inCommunits -based Health Care Programs for OlderPeople had its llrsi meeting in Geneva. The purposeof this meeting was to develop a framework foreducational programs for health care providers. Theeducational programs should be tailored todifferent t\ pcs ol health care providers engaged inthe care of older persons and are aiming atimproving the capacity of the health care team to

work together. The health care providers are eithergeneralists or specialists and include nurses,medical doctors, dieticians, dentists, physio-therapists, psychologists, social workers,occupational health therapists, home helpers, careassistants, chaplains, pharmacists and chiropodists.

The WHO-report which is actually about to beingfinalised will present a strategic framework forContinuing Professional Development of healthcare providers and guidelines in order that thehealth care providers are able to identify the needs

The fjcriKJonlnlojzy AssiiLiuUon 1999Gerodontology

and the priorities of older persons. This shouldenable the health care team to establish a care planfor Ihe individual older person considering dailylife activities (including oral hygiene), health self-tnanagement and social life and cultural activities.

KJvind Biidtz-Jorgeiisen

Mctiihcr of the Cctieva Secretarial and the onlv denlisi

invdivi'd in this pmjcct

British Society of Gerontology,

'Practicalities'The fifth joint winter meeting with the BritishDental Association Cotnmunity Dental ServicesGroup was held on Thursday, 2'"' December 1999in London, chaited by the BSG President, RobinBasker, with 100 participants.

'Over 80 and Still Dentate' - Janice Fiske describedchanges in the population, changes in philosophyrelated to health and changes in the ot al healthcareneeds of older dentate people. She discussed theissues in relation to the effect of tooth loss on anindividual's self -worth and self- esteem and theimpact on both general health and oral health.Janice recommended high quality, lowmaintenance oral care supported by regular reviewand underpinned by prevention. She summarisedthe maxim for dental care for people aged 80 andover and still dentate as the right help at the righttime in the right environment.

'Dental Dignity' - John Besfotd reinforced manyof the problems that Janice had discussed. He alsoaddressed some of them and gave innovativeadvice both technically and aesthetically in hispresentation entitled. John reminded us of theadvantages of retaining teeth. He used a quote fromRonnie Laird: 'Dentures are not a substitute forteeth, but a substitute for no teeth' and he went onto illustrate cases showing some of the effects of alack of natural dentition on dignity, mental healthand personality.

'Cotnplete Dentures for veiy old people- DavidDavis covered aspects of denture construction,copy dentures and the possible effect of old ageon the transition from partially dentate to edentateas well as on the ability to adapt to prostheticappliances. David advised that one of the roles ofthe provider is to give patients realistic expectationsand recognise when it is not possible to imptove asituation.

A discussion included counselling patients to helpwith adaptation, coping with failure, dignity andprivacy when visiting people in homes.Suggestions were made for a behavioural approachinvolving bereavement counselling for tooth lossand its impact.

'Relining at the chairside' - Robin Baskerpresented a study by Janet Hayward comparingthree hard lining materials and looked at theworking and setting times as well as flow, ease ofhandling for the clinician and hardening properties.Patients were asked for their reaction to the materialeg heat, smell and burning sensation. All dentureswere assessed after one year for adherence of liningmaterial. The results of this could be useful whenchoosing an appropriate chair-side reliningmaterial.

Prosthetic methods of lubricating the dry mouth -Peter Frost described the design, construction andassessment of a prostheses containing a salivasubstitute within a chamber to provide extendedintra oral delivery of a saliva substitute for peoplewith dry mouths. These were found to be successfulin providing lubrication when w oi n part time andespecially at night.

'The functional assessment of complete dentures'- Pam Corrigan recommended a reproduciblemethod of assessing complete dentures which shedescribed as simple, quick (about five minutes perpatient) and suitable for any setting. She comparedthis clinical assessment with a previously validatedIndex of patient satisfaction and one on foodchoices.

Debbie LewisHonoriirx Sccrclaiy BSG

Volume Id. No. 2