Women older than 40 reported not knowing the ways that menopause can affect their oral health, highlighting an opening for dental team members, including dental assistants, to discuss potential associated problems and other age-related conditions.
Only 18% of women age 40 and older have reported discussing the effects of menopause on oral health with a dental professional, while 93% admitted it would be helpful to receive tailored advice on how to manage their oral health during menopause at their dental visits, according to Delta Dental Insurance Company's "2024 Oral Health and Menopause Report".
"Dentists are in a prime position to help identify the broader health needs of menopausal patients, beyond just the oral conditions they diagnose," Dr. Daniel Croley, chief dental officer at Delta Dental Insurance Company, said in a company press release.
To explore oral health and menopause in women, Delta Dental of California commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 1,500 women age 40 and older. Additionally, a separate survey of 102 dentists in the U.S. was conducted.
Unfortunately, dental teams are missing out on a golden opportunity to provide information and resources to women. On the upside, 83% of dentists reported they are open to having these discussions with women patients. However, 53% of dentists indicated that they wouldn't discuss the impact of menopause on oral health with their female patients unless they brought up the topic first, according to the report.
"We're encouraged by the increasing willingness to talk about menopause and see a clear opportunity to open that conversation between dentists and their patients," Sarah Chavarria, Delta Dental's CEO and president, said in the release.
Furthermore, integrating oral healthcare with a broader understanding of menopause into a dental visit can make a significant difference. Though 57% of the women surveyed admitted they typically visit a dentist less often than once every six months, 82% reported that they are more likely to prioritize scheduling their next dental visit once they were told about the correlation between menopause and oral health, according to the report.
"We believe that the impact of menopause on oral health should be an integral part of the broader dialogue, helping women maintain their well-being and holistic health during this life milestone," Chavarria said.
