Dysphagia and Oral Health in Older People

Dysphagia is a term that is used for the difficulty in moving liquid/food from mouth to the stomach. Dysphagia is very common in elders, which makes them susceptible to malnutrition, infection, institutionalization, and death. Consequently, it is categorized as a geriatric syndrome. Therefore, multidisciplinary teams need to work together to determine the correct etiology and implement an appropriate care plan. Oral care is crucial in managing dysphagia and dental hygienists and dentists serve as the key members. In some regions, the roles of dental professionals are not fully understood. Hence, the aim of this article is to review oral problems that are prevalent in older people and their relationship to dysphagia as well as the roles of dental professionals in dysphagia diagnosis and management.