Innovations in Geriatric Oral Health Care

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Oral Health
• Dental Public Health
• Health Policy

Background:

• Growing number of older adults are retaining their natural teeth.
• Increased need for lifelong oral health strategies and disease prevention in the aging population.
• Oral health is integral to overall health and quality of life in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline current strategies for maintaining oral health in older adults.
• To highlight the importance of prevention and professional care in reducing oral disease.
• To discuss innovations and policy needs in geriatric oral health care.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and best practices in geriatric oral health.
• Analysis of the impact of daily prevention and professional care on oral disease reduction.
• Examination of evolving models of care, including teledentistry and interprofessional collaboration.
• Assessment of policy recommendations, such as advocating for a dental benefit in Medicare.

Main Results:

• Daily preventive measures and professional dental care significantly reduce oral disease in older adults.
• Oral health care delivery is expanding through teledentistry and interprofessional collaboration.
• Advocacy efforts are underway to include dental benefits in Medicare for improved access to care.
• Innovations are emerging across clinical care, delivery models, funding, research, education, and policy.

Conclusions:

• Maintaining oral health throughout life is crucial for the aging population.
• A multi-faceted approach involving prevention, professional care, and innovative delivery models is essential.
• Policy changes, including Medicare dental benefits, are needed to ensure equitable access to geriatric oral health services.