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  • Title: Training health professionals to address the oral health care of older adults.
    Author: Yellowitz JA.
    Journal: J Mass Dent Soc; 2008; 57(3):20-3. PubMed ID: 19146111.
    Abstract:
    As a group, the elderly suffer disproportionately from oral disease and often do not access routine oral health care. Older adults are faced with numerous barriers to oral health care, ranging from their knowledge and attitudes about oral health to those of general and oral health professionals to financial concerns and health status. It is recommended that all adults obtain an annual comprehensive oral examination. In recognition of the Surgeon General's statement that health care professionals should be educated in the importance of oral health to overall health and well-being, new programs need to be established. Improving access to oral health requires the collaboration of primary health care providers (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses) and oral health professionals. An integrated education program for primary health care providers can make a difference in the oral health status of older adults. To date, pilot projects have demonstrated that with minimal training, primary care professionals can and do include oral health assessments into their general practice protocols. However, there are no national initiatives to address this issue. Oral and general health professionals must educate the elderly to recognize that preventive services are a lifelong commitment. Oral and general health programs must institute curricular changes to prepare future practitioners, and continuing education programs are needed for current practitioners. Major changes to professional education programs and public health policies are needed to address the oral health care of today's--and tomorrow's--elderly.
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