[Lifetime dental care: treatment for periodontally affected elderly].

Although many elderly remain healthy to an advanced age, apparently healthy and robust elderly can quickly become frail as a result of physical or psychological events. With frailty, oral health can quickly deteriorate and treatment is often difficult, with possible consequences for general health and quality of life. To prevent treatment dilemma's at an advanced age, it is advisable to think ahead when making a treatment plan for older patients and to aim for a surveyable oral situation, so in case of illness or care dependency, oral health can be maintained relatively easily.