ABSTRACT
An increasing percentage of the population is now living longer. The elderly are more likely to have medical conditions which can affect their systemic well-being, their oral health and their ability to undergo dental treatment. This can be compounded by polypharmacy .There are significant physiological changes that occur in old age. These can affect an individual’s ability to process drugs. The General Dental practitioner need to be familiar with the potential influences of systemic diseases and also with the potential for side-effects and interactions associated with a wide range of medications and impact of ageing on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of any drug taken. The aim of this article is to outline the `must know` facts about most common medical conditions affecting elderly and medications used to treat systemic diseases that impact upon the oral mucosa and principles that should be borne in mind when prescribing medication for this group.