Kevin and Zack welcome back Dr. Alan Mead for a discussion of modern geriatric dentistry. It's not as much a recipe book for treating older patients but how the guys have seen their geriatric patient population change over time. They discuss the massive divide between "spry" seniors and those struggling with late-life health declines, the ethics of aggressive treatment in nursing homes, and how clinical rules must change when the goal shifts from "permanent fix" to "comfort and function."

Episode Highlights

• Genetics vs. Lifestyle: Why some 80-year-old patients have the periodontal health of a 20-year-old, while some 30-year-olds are already on multiple medications.

• The "Caries Explosion": A discussion on why a sudden spike in decay in older patients is often a systemic "red flag" for overall health decline.

• To Treat or Not to Treat: Navigating the difficult conversations with the adult children of aging patients. When is a denture a "death sentence," and when should you just reach for the SDF?

• Clinical Tools for the Aging: The role of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) and Glass Ionomers in "patching" and maintaining quality of life without invasive surgery.

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