People are now living longer and retaining their teeth for longer due to the preventive focused approach to dentistry. Although the rates of edentulism are rapidly declining, this is resulting in the number of natural teeth retained in the dentition. The impact of this is especially apparent in the residential care setting, as Personal Care Assistant staff are often time poor as a high resident to PCA ratio, oral care is often not adequately attended too or not at all. Residential care facilities will continue to encounter residents retaining their own natural teeth as the population is growing and living for longer periods so an oral health intervention will be required to combat this area of care that is severely lacking in many facilities. Utilising Oral Health Therapists in this sector would provide some assistance in closing the gap. Management of Geriatric Patients Developing a routine with oral hygiene care at the same time every day with the patients input as to when is most convenient Undertaking oral care in a quiet distraction-free environment Use of short, simple sentences and directions Use of task-breakdown and one-step instructions placement of a step by step poster illustrating each step Use of non-verbal cues e.g. facial expressions, hand gestures, body language (reassuring patient) Gentle touch to promote trust Using reminders and prompts for oral hygiene care Use of dementia communication techniques such as chaining, bridging, and rescuing applied to oral hygiene practices See also Dentistry Geriatrics Gerontology Ageing-associated diseases Elderly care Dental Specialties Special Need Dentistry References Dentistry branches Dentistry occupations Geriatrics