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By Stacie Crozier

San Francisco—What are the oral health issues that face older adults, and how can today's dental practice meet the needs of the fastest growing population segment in the U.S.?

The OralLongevity initiative—a joint effort between the ADA, the ADA Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare—is sponsoring a complete education track at annual session Sept. 27-30. The track of six lecture courses, a daylong panel discussion and a case presentation session are presented in cooperation with the ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations and the Special Care Dentistry Association.

Those attending annual session can also visit the OralLongevity booth at the ADA World Marketplace Exhibition in the Moscone Center Sept. 27-29, from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. to receive free copies of the OralLongevity Brochure, a DVD program highlighting the importance of oral health for a lifetime and a special supplement to the Journal of the American Dental Association—terrific educational tools for oral health professionals, caregivers and patients.

"Through OralLongevity the ADA will present a series of programs targeted to educate our dental teams in the treatment of our aging community," said Dr. Chad Leighty, Council on ADA Sessions program committee chair. "Member surveys show that the area of older adult dental care is a growing area of concern. The ADA is addressing our members' requests with an educational track that covers topics such as root caries, xerostomia, difficult denture fabrication and jaw necrosis due to bisphosphonates. Our track concludes with a panel discussion and case presentations of oral longevity and healthy aging."

"The OralLongevity initiative is dedicated to helping oral health care providers and consumers understand the unique problems facing older patients, and to helping find solutions that will enhance the oral health of this fast-growing population group," said Dr. Ronald Rupp, senior manger of professional relations, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. "GSK is proud to support OralLongevity and the ADA in its effort to present this comprehensive continuing education track to oral health care professionals at the ADA's annual session."

Courses include:

• "Root Caries: Proven Techniques for Frustrating Situations," by Dr. Randy F. Huffines. This presentation incorporates the latest research into step-by-step clinical techniques you can use with your most challenging patients. Participants will learn to select and use restorative materials, expose and finish subgingival margins and apply current preventive strategies. Sept. 27, 9-11:30 a.m., course code: 5307.
• "Bisphosphonates and Jaw Osteonecrosis (ONJ): Risks, Diagnosis and Patient Care," by Drs. John W. Hellstein and John R. Kalmar. Many patients take bisphosphonate drugs for osteoporosis. Are they at risk for developing ONJ? Participants will learn ONJ risk factors, signs and symptoms, how to prevent and treat and issues of informed consent. Sept. 27, 9-11:30 a.m., course code: 5312.
• "Geriatric Patients: Treatment In Your Office," By Dr. Gregory J. Folse. Frail elders and adults with physical or mental disabilities all have special treatment, management and financing needs. Participants will learn when and when not and how to treat, standard of care issues and funding sources and treating difficult denture patients. Sept. 27, 1:45-4:45 p.m., course code: 5327.
• "The Older Dental Hygiene Patient," by Dr. Randy F. Huffines. Providing dental care for older patients can be very rewarding but also very challenging. Dental hygienists and dental assistants will learn current prevention strategies for root caries, medical problems impacting the hygienist and how the older mouth is different. Sept. 27, 1:45-4:15 p.m., course code: 5333.
• "Difficult Dentures: Real World Solutions," by Dr. Gregory J. Folse. Difficult denture patients, especially frail elders, require special attention, understanding, and unique treatment approaches for successful patient outcomes. Participants will learn precise occlusal rim procedures, impression and border-molding technique and patient specific occlusal schemes. Sept. 28, 10:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m., course code: 6311. (This course also has a companion hands-on workshop, "Difficult Dentures: Hands-On Workshop," Sept. 28, 2:45-5:15 p.m., Cost for dentists, $215; cost for team members, $165; course code: 6213.)
• "The Mystery of Xerostomia," by Dr. Harold L. Crossley. The prevalence of xerostomia in the United States has been estimated as 30 percent of the population. This presentation will include etiologies, treatments and surprises about salivary flow you never learned in school. Participants will learn how to detect xerostomia, the most common cause and xerostomia treatment. Sept. 28, 10:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m., course code: 6316.
• "Oral Longevity and Healthy Aging: Panel Discussion," will be held Sept. 29, 10:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Dr. Randy Huffines will moderate the daylong panel and Dr. Gordon J. Christensen will serve as dental expert for the panel. Panelists include Drs. Gregory J. Folse, Thomas Abrahamsen, Karen M. Crews and Gretchen Gibson. Panelists and participants can speak interactively on a variety of topics, including oral health challenges of older patients; dentures; non-carious loss of tooth structure; tobacco use; and psychological and social issues in geriatric dentistry. Course code: 7328.
• "Oral Longevity and Healthy Aging: Case Presentations," will be held Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Drs. Karen M. Crews, Harold L. Crossley, Gregory J. Folse and Randy F. Huffines will present actual patient cases to illustrate the clinical challenges facing the oral health of older adults. Case presentations on the effects of tobacco, dry mouth, geriatric special needs and root caries will be presented.

"Treating the special needs of the aging patient is a growing concern of ADA members, and the ADA and GlaxoSmithKline are working together to educate annual session attendees with information that can be immediately implemented for this growing patient base within their practices," Dr. Leighty added.