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Senior's Oral Health Crisis
Vulnerable Elderly Patients are patients over age 65 who have any of the following: limited mobility, limited resources, or complex health status. Source: 2007 Oral Health Care of Vulnerable Elderly Patients Survey, ADA Survey Center
United States Population Estimates
1.6 million people live in nursing homes (CDC)
Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, May 2002.
The "Silent Epidemic"
Calls to Action:
Guiding Principles:
- Access to basic oral health care is a human right.
- The oral health care delivery system must serve the common good.
- The oral health needs of the vulnerable populations have a unique priority.
- A diverse and culturally competent workforce is necessary to meet the oral health needs of the nation.
March 2003
Senior Mobile Dental Saw The Need, Heard The Call And Came To Action.
This Is What We Are Fighting:
"There are significant structural problems in our oral health care system, and the problems are getting worse due to demographic trends, workforce trends, public health infrastructure inadequacies, and the increasing number of children, adults, elderly and special populations not covered by Medicare or Medicaid."Overall grade "D"
Copyright ©2003 Oral Health America
Extreme tooth pain can change an amiable senior into a more aggressive, noncompliant person affecting all aspects of the care you are trying to provide; affecting their activities of daily living.
Chewing Function Cascade resulting in Malnutrition:
Decay and Periodontal Disease→Tooth Loss→Chewing Problems→Malnutrition
The Oral/Systemic Relationship: How Poor Oral Health Affects
Physical Health
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Cardiovascular Disease
- MI, Stroke, htn, vhd, pvd
- Respiratory Disease
- Pneumonia, VAP, lung abscess, COPD
- Cognitive Impairments
- Along with cancer, chronic kidney disease, GI reflux, premature underweight births-which better not be a concern for this population!
If your body is busy fighting infections, and simple preventive measures such as regular dental cleanings and exams will help, let Senior Mobile Dental help and be your preventive health care partner.
Systematic Review Findings
There's good evidence that improved oral hygiene and frequent professional oral healthcare reduces the progression or occurrence of repiratory diseases in high-risk elderly adults (relative risk reduction of 34-83%)
Azarpazhooh A, Ieake JL, J of Periodontology 2006:771465-482