Ontario Dental Association report spotlights elderly needs

Apr 11, 2010

The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) has released a new report, "Oral Health and Aging: Addressing Issues and Providing Solutions," that outlines the link between poor oral health and certain life-threatening diseases, and calls for more emphasis on assisting the frail elderly.

"We need to take care of the elderly, those who cannot care for themselves," said ODA President Ira Kirshen, D.D.S. "Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in long-term care facilities, and we can help prevent it by ensuring frail seniors have access to good oral healthcare. This is serious. We need to help."

The special report specifies the link between poor oral health and respiratory infections (pneumonia), cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes), diabetes complications, malnutrition, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It also provides recommendations for the Canadian government on how to alleviate the dangers of developing disease from poor oral health.

These recommendations include ensuring that all seniors in long-term care facilities have access to:

Examination by a dentist, both upon admission and every year afterward: This would focus on preventing disease, and an individual oral healthcare plan could be developed accordingly.
A permanent space for a healthcare/wellness room for in-house services by dentists equipped with a dental chair: This would mean patients would not need to be transferred to other locations for service, decreasing the cost of transfers to hospitals and private dental offices.
Twice daily oral healthcare (brushing of teeth and flossing) for those unable to manage their own care: This would include clear standards for those providing this service.
A long-term care support staff worker: This person should be trained on the importance of daily oral healthcare and equipped to provide that care.

The ODA is also calling on the government to launch an education campaign to increase public awareness about the relationship between oral health and overall health, and conduct an economic analysis on the financial burden created by untreated oral disease among the frail elderly on the healthcare system.

"We are asking government to help us care for the frail elderly," Dr. Kirshen said. "That's why the ODA is launching this special report and providing materials on our Web site to get things started right away. This is important. We all need to do our part."