The theory of learned helplessness provides a framework for understanding certain dysfunctional, noncompliant behavior often seen by dental practitioners in some of their older patients. According to proponents of the theory, individuals repeatedly exposed to events perceived beyond personal control eventually have the cognitive, motivational, and affective deficits of helplessness. The loss of self‐esteem may also occur if the individual believes he or she is personally responsible for the circumstances. The multiple losses of older dental patients make them particularly vulnerable to helplessness. Practitioners and staff members have a special role in helping to prevent or reverse the effects of helplessness in older patients. When interacting with these patients, practitioners can enhance the older persons' perceived control by providing the patient with choices when possible and practical, by providing success experience, and by increasing and predictability of the oral rehabilitation process. The practitioner and auxiliary staff members can help modify patients' expectations for restoration of oral functioning when they are inappropriately high to prevent future disappointments. Finally, rehabilitation staff members need to promote autonomy and self‐sufficiency in patients, and to reject the tendency to “do for” patients those tasks that can be independently accomplished. Dental staff members can use these guidelines to enhance the quality of their interactions with older patients and can be instrumental in preventing or eliminating the behavioral deficits associated with learned helplessness.

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