Oral Health America (OHA) has launched its annual Fall for Smiles event with newly released survey results showing that low-income older adults face barriers to oral healthcare.
The survey, which was sponsored by the DentaQuest Foundation and conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of OHA, found that half of low-income older adults have not seen a dentist in the past year. Most respondents cited lack of income or lack of dental insurance as the reason for not visiting.
In addition, the survey found the following:
- 71% of respondents said their doctor rarely or never discusses how medication can impact their oral health.
- 66% said their pharmacist rarely or never discusses how medication can impact their oral health.
"Older Americans deserve to have the resources they need to maintain a healthy mouth as they age," stated Beth Truett, president and CEO of OHA, in a press release. "Mouth health impacts overall health, especially for older adults, and those with poor oral health face increased obstacles to keeping their teeth, avoiding gum disease, and staying active and independent."
To call attention to the challenges older adults face, OHA, the DentaQuest Foundation, and the Dental Trade Alliance initiative Oral Healthcare Can't Wait are partnering to host an event at Capitol Hill on September 30. During the event, participants will learn the results of the recent poll and preview OHA's biannual report on the state of older adult oral health in America. For more information, visit the Fall for Smiles webpage.
Fall for Smiles is a public awareness campaign that takes place every year during September and October. It promotes the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth, and the 2015 campaign focuses on oral health for oral adults. The campaign sponsors include 3M ESPE, Denticator, Hu-Friedy, Listerine, Midmark, National Dental Association, Patterson Dental, Sunstar, Trident, and Whip Mix.
"The message of Fall for Smiles is important for all ages," stated Dental Trade Alliance CEO Gary Price. "As a founding partner of the campaign in 2010, Oral Healthcare Can't Wait supports the messages that call on industry and professional partners to participate in the Fall for Smiles campaign during September and October, to raise awareness about the importance of oral health."
