On 13 September 2018 in Warsaw, the Founding Meeting took place, at which it was decided to establish a scientific association called “Polish Association of Geriatric Dentistry” (PAGD). The founders of the society are associated, among others, with the Medical University of Gdańsk, Medical University of Warsaw, Medical University of Lublin and Jagiellonian University in Cracow. At the Founding Meeting it was agreed that the place of the association would be Warsaw, the Statute was approved and the Board and Audit Committee of the PAGD were elected. Univ. Prof. Barbara Kochańska, Head of the Department of Conservative Dentistry of MUG, was elected as the President. The Polish Association of Geriatric Dentistry was registered as an association in the National Court Register on 7 May 2019 under number 0000784659.
Worldwide demographic data indicate a steady increase in the population of elderly people. In 2018, the number of the Polish population was over 38 million, of which over 24% were people aged 60+. If the current demographic trends are maintained, according to the forecasts of the Central Statistical Office, in 2050 the number of people aged 60+ in Poland will increase to over 40%.
As the results of the research indicate, the population of 60+ is characterised by a considerable diversity, both in terms of general health status, as well as in terms of the state of the masticatory system and dental medical needs. In the human stomatognathic system, a number of changes occur with age, which are caused by the aging process itself, as well as overlapping of various pathological factors, which may exacerbate and modify this process. These include various, often co-occurring chronic diseases, hormonal disorders, eating disorders, absorption disorders and limitations of psychomotor functions. A particular problem in the senior population is the phenomenon of polypragmasy, which results in, among others, disturbances of saliva secretion and related health consequences. Changes occurring with age may affect all structures of the stomatognathic system. Progressive, often exacerbated by various unfavourable factors, degradation and dysfunction of the stomatognathic system leads not only to deterioration of the quality of life, but also to a number of other consequences, including those related to general health.
We hope that in the face of demographic forecasts and growing problems of the ageing population, the activities of the Polish Association of Geriatric Dentistry will have a positive impact on the quality of dental and medical care of the elderly population.
We invite all those who are interested in the broadly understood issues of geriatric dentistry to cooperate and participate in the work of our Association.