The Geriatric Oral Health Unit intends to cater to the specific oral health needs of the old and the infirm. Aging brings with it a derangement in physical and mental state and consequent dependence for activities of daily living. Psychosocial issue such as physical and financial insecurity, fear of ostracises and abandonment and depression are common afflictions of the geriatric population. This leads to self apathy and neglect and personal hygiene. The alarming revelation about the relationship of poor oral hygiene and predilection to cardiac and respiratory disease has necessitated a concerted effort at maintenance of oral health and the hygiene of all types of oral prosthesis. Further in caregiver institutions, the nursing staff is often negligent to the protocols of assistance in oral health care. Hence training module for them also needs to be evolved.
