Randomized Controlled Trials in Geriatric Dentistry

The population of older adults in all parts of the world is rising, and they also constitute a segment of patients with high risk for oral diseases and unmet dental needs. Geriatric dentistry is a special interest field within dentistry that aims to meet the comprehensive dental needs of older adults. There are unique challenges in conducting randomized controlled trials among older adults. These can be related to defining outcomes and methodological issues. The setting of the study can contribute to recruitment and retention issues. Among community-dwelling adults, auditory, visual, and mobility impairments can make it arduous for the participants to enroll in a study, while in long-term care facilities, the rapid attrition and turnover rate of residents and caregiving staff can make retention and adherence perplexing for research. Furthermore, lack of autonomy, physical frailty, and cognitive impairments in this population raise unique ethical questions. This chapter reviews the existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in geriatric dentistry with research gaps and provides recommendations for future investigations.