The population of the United Kingdom is ageing. More people are living for longer. Many of those older people want to retain their natural teeth and will continue to be regular attenders at the dentist. However, Age UK estimates that one in 20 older people are abused by a family member or carer. As health care professionals, the dental team have a responsibility to identify the signs of elder abuse and report them as appropriate. This article explains some of the causes and signs of abuse and the dental team's responsibilities to act.
