ATTENTION TO ORAL HEALTH OF THE ELDERLY: AN OVERVIEW AND YOUR CURRENT CHALLENGES A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This paper addresses the theme of oral health care for the elderly, focusing on understanding the current panorama and its challenges faced in this context. With the aging population, the need to analyze the oral health of the elderly is indispensable, since the oral cavity plays a fundamental role in the quality of life and well-being of this population. Through the increase in the number of elderly people, the rights of the elderly must be guaranteed through legislation and public policies, for a pleasurable and healthy aging. Objective: To review the literature on oral health care for the elderly and its current challenges. Methodology: To improve the subject, the articles used in this study were selected through the Google Scholar database, Scielo, Pub Med. In addition to the search in the database, official documents dealing with health policies aimed at the elderly were named. Final Considerations: Different ways to help in the oral health care of the elderly were found, from the implementation of new public oral health policies aimed at this public, the strengthening of trained professionals, the awareness of the importance of oral hygiene in the elderly and the promotion of preventive actions. The development of effective strategies in the oral health care of the elderly will contribute to a good quality of life and general well-being of this population, besides representing a significant advance in the area of public health.