Support to Wellness of the Elderly from Psychosomatic Dentistry(Symposium/Psychosomatic Medicine for the Elderly: A Supportive View of Their Wellness)

Abstract

Until the 1970's in Japan, there were many patients who required dental prostheses for caries, periodontitis and missing teeth. In 1989, the 8020 campaign was promoted by dental associations and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. Initially, 80-year-olds had about 4 teeth, but in 2006, about 20% of 80-year-olds had 20 teeth. When many elderly had no teeth, the main job of dentists was to recover masticatory function by making dentures, but today, comprehensive dental care including treatment of periodontal disease and tooth extraction are required in elderly patients with systemic risk factors. In addition, the pain of the tongue, dry mouth and other oral diseases occur to the old man frequently. When the pain of the tongue and mouth dryness last long, an oral functional disorder becomes severe, and the whole body symptom is being expressed, too. The symptom of psychosomatic dentistry causes oral functional disorders and declines the quality of the life in elderly. The old man who can take an active life attitude has a few dentistry psychosomatic diseases. Dentistry contributes like this in the health of mind and body greatly to the old man.