Dr Flora Zervou-Valvi
| Medical Risk Assessment in Elderly Dental Patients – Session 7 |
May 4 @ 12:30 – 13:30 IST
Dr Flora Zervou-Valvi, PhD
Keynote Speaker – Navigating the Crossroads of Aging, Health, and Dental Care
Dr. Flora Zervou-Valvi is an accomplished dental professional with decades of expertise in oral medicine, stomatology, and special care dentistry. She graduated from the University of Athens in 1977 with a degree in Dentistry, followed by a PhD in Stomatology in 1983. In 1992, she completed an MPhil in Orofacial Genetics at the University of Wales, solidifying her academic foundation in both dental medicine and genetics.
With a distinguished career spanning over 40 years, Dr. Zervou-Valvi served as Director of the Dental Department and Stomatological Clinic at Voula’s Asklepieion General Hospital in Greece from 2006 to 2023, including a term as Director of Medical Services from 2018 to 2021. Her contributions to hospital dentistry and the oral health management of patients with disabilities have been instrumental in shaping the field in Greece. She has delivered approximately 270 lectures, published 82 research papers, contributed 20 book chapters, and served as Editor-in-Chief for two dental journals.
A recognized authority in hospital dentistry and geriatric oral care, Dr. Zervou-Valvi continues to share her expertise through postgraduate lectures and training programs across Europe. She is currently the President of the Hellenic Society for Hospital Dentistry and Special Care Dentistry and remains actively involved in national and international scientific committees.
About the Lecture:
Managing elderly patients in dental practice requires more than just routine clinical expertise—it demands a careful evaluation of medical risks to ensure patient safety and successful treatment outcomes. Given that most elderly individuals present with comorbid conditions, understanding how these complexities impact dental care is essential.
This lecture will introduce an accessible, practical algorithm designed specifically for assessing medical risks in elderly dental patients. Attendees will learn a systematic approach to:
- Thorough Patient Investigation
- Comprehensive review of medical and dental histories.
- Identification and management of dental anxiety.
- Clinical examination strategies, including inspection of the oral cavity, head and neck region, and other exposed areas.
- Effective observation techniques and interpreting vital signs.
- Collaboration and communication strategies with physicians.
- Physical Status Evaluation (ASA Classification)
Understand the significance of the ASA Physical Status (PS) Classification System, with special attention to elderly patients. Approximately 25% of elderly patients aged 65–74 and about 33% of those over 74 fall into ASA Class III or IV, indicating moderate to significant medical risks. Awareness of these classifications directly correlates to reducing morbidity and mortality rates. - Oral Risk Assessment (ORA)
Evaluate dental procedure risks based on the type, extent, and duration of treatments required. Grasping how dental interventions impact medical risks is crucial to formulating a safe treatment strategy.
By integrating the ASA Physical Status with Oral Risk Assessment, practitioners can accurately determine the overall medical risk, guiding decisions on whether procedures can safely occur in the office or require hospital referrals.
Join us to master this essential clinical skill, enhance patient safety, and confidently manage dental treatments in elderly patients with complex medical backgrounds.