Pla G W
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Howard University, Washington, DC.
Prim Care. 1994 Mar;21(1):121-33.
The relationships between oral health conditions, dietary practices and nutritional status, and general health status in the older American are complex, with many interrelating factors. Just as inadequate nutrition can affect oral health, poor oral health status affects food choices and, thus, nutritional status. It is clearly essential that the primary care practitioner and/or screening health professionals always include an evaluation of oral status in assessment of an elderly person. Effective care for the elderly dental patient requires knowledge about the disease of aging and the impact of those diseases on oral health and nutrition, pharmacology and drug interactions and their impact on oral health status, the biology of aging including sensory changes, the relationship of general medicine and systemic diseases, and psychology and sociology. The attitudes of empathy and understanding, caring and compassion, respect and a positive attitude toward the older patient, and flexibility in treatment planning are also critical elements. The interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, nutrition professionals, dentists, and social service professionals must all work together to ensure that good oral health status and adequate nutrition are maintained in older Americans. Recognizing and treating oral health and nutrition problems are important in improving the health and quality of life for the elderly population. Research that can provide more answers to health care problems in this growing group; educating professionals with respect to the relationships between oral health and nutrition; and public policy changes with regard to provision and funding of nutrition services, especially when provided by registered and/or licensed nutrition professionals, contribute to improving the health and quality of life for elders.
美国老年人的口腔健康状况、饮食习惯与营养状况以及总体健康状况之间的关系错综复杂，存在诸多相互关联的因素。正如营养不足会影响口腔健康一样，不良的口腔健康状况也会影响食物选择，进而影响营养状况。初级保健医生和/或筛查健康专业人员在评估老年人时始终纳入口腔状况评估显然至关重要。对老年牙科患者进行有效的护理需要了解衰老疾病及其对口腔健康和营养的影响、药理学和药物相互作用及其对口腔健康状况的影响、包括感官变化在内的衰老生物学、普通医学与全身性疾病的关系以及心理学和社会学。同理心与理解、关爱与同情、对老年患者的尊重和积极态度以及治疗计划的灵活性等态度也是关键要素。医生、护士、营养专业人员、牙医和社会服务专业人员组成的跨学科团队必须共同努力，以确保美国老年人保持良好的口腔健康状况和充足的营养。认识并治疗口腔健康和营养问题对于改善老年人群的健康和生活质量至关重要。能够为这个不断增长的群体中的医疗保健问题提供更多答案的研究；对专业人员进行口腔健康与营养关系方面的教育；以及在营养服务的提供和资金方面进行公共政策变革，尤其是由注册和/或持牌营养专业人员提供服务时，都有助于改善老年人的健康和生活质量。
