Geriatric prosthodontic care.

The geriatric population (age 65 and older) is the fastest growing segment nationally and globally. The large population will continue to increase because of baby boomers that have recently turned 65 years old. Within this cohort, there is much diversity in health, socioeconomic levels, education, and health beliefs. There is a decline in edentulism yet still there are oral health conditions that persist with age, such as caries, tooth loss, and increased needs for prosthodontic dental treatment. Several factors should be taken into account in geriatric prosthodontic care, including quality of life and psychosocial needs.