Geriatrics and the future of dental education

Preliminary research findings reveal an interesting trend in this arena.

Access to geriatric dental care is becoming an increasingly important issue, especially since many older Americans are keeping more of their natural teeth.

Preliminary research findings from Dr. Helena Tapias, assistant professor in restorative sciences at Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry, support this trend — though they weren’t necessarily what she expected.

“People are keeping more of their teeth compared to 20 or 30 years ago,” Tapias said. “Most people surveyed had 28 teeth,” something she attributes to improved oral health care and water fluoridation.

Read more as Tapias discusses her research and the future of geriatric dentistry in Texas and beyond.