Two important oral health care concerns emerging in the United Statesare disparities in the oral disease burden and the inabilityof certain segments of the population to access oral healthcare.[1] Older Americansare becoming a larger segment of our population and suffer disproportionately from oral diseases, with the problembeing particularly acute for individuals in long term care facilities. Populationprojections for the United States indicate that the elderlywill constitute an increasing percentage of the population aswe proceed into the 21st century. In 2001, the population ofthe United States was almost 278 million, and 12.6% of the populationwas 65 years of age or older. By 2015, the population is expectedto increase to 312 million (3.08 million in 2010) and 14.7% of the population willbe aged 65 years or older. In 2030, which is within the practicelives of students currently enrolled in dental schools, thepopulation will have increased to more than 350 million, and20% of the population—1 of every 5 members of the US society—willbe 65 years of age or older. This large segment of our population is further compounded by the elderly population continuing to become increasingly diverse in terms of race, ethnicity,financial resources, and living conditions.[2]
The challenges faced by both the dental profession and the nationas a whole regarding provision of oral health care servicesto older adults were the subject of a recent report preparedby Oral Health America.[3] All 50 states were surveyed to determine the level of Medicaidcoverage for dental services, and the report concludes thatfinancing oral health care services for the elderly will be a majorchallenge to our future. Medicare does not provide any coverage for dentalservices, and only 1 of 5 Americans aged 75 years or older hasany type of private dental insurance. Given our current economic circumstances it will be highly unlikely that our government resources will be adequate to gear up for the impending problem of oral health for the elderly.
The elderly suffer from chronic disorders that can directlyor indirectly affect oral health, including autoimmune disorderssuch as pemphigus and pemphigoid.[4] They generally requiremultiple medications, and common side effects of the more than500 medications used to treat their overall health issues usually reduce salivary flow.[5] Usually the reduction in salivacan adversely affect their quality of life, the ability to chew, and lead to significant problems of the teeth andtheir supporting structures.
The elderly may also have difficulty performing routine oralhygiene procedures because of physical limitations, such as Parkinson’s or rheumatoid arthritis. In addition,oral infection is now recognized as a risk factor for a numberof systemic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases,diabetes, mellitus, and respiratory disorders. Also,it is important to note that once people have lost their teeth and are using complete dentures, their oral health needs do not decrease. Our jaws are not static and may continue toresorb over time. Besides the continued resorption of bone, improperly fitted dentures can adversely affectchewing, leading to poor nutrition. In addition, those without teeth remainsusceptible to oral cancer, mucosal diseases, and alterationsin salivary gland function.
So for the vast majority of seniors who will reside in a long term care facility, financingof oral health care services will be a formidable challenge.Given that medicare does not provide coverage for routine dental services including exams,and in the absence of private insurance or personal resources,a large portion of this group will not be able to afford anydental services whatsoever, let alone the most appropriate treatments. Clearly, there must be a response to the increasing oral healthconcerns of the elderly who present with special needs, especiallythose who are homebound or living in long term facilities burdenedwith other chronic disorders.
While effective preventive measures exist for younger populations(water fluoridation, dental sealants and parents), no preventive measureshave been devised to address the expected increase in oral healthneeds of the aging population. And the need for a coordinated effort to address the oral healthcare needs of the elderly suggested by demographic trendsand epidemiological data necessitates our planning for what might be considered a crisis or at least a paradigm shift in oral health care delivery for the elderly. Such a plan must consider contributionsfrom the dental profession, possibly through the efforts ofthe American Dental Association (ADA) and its state and localassociations; the dental schools, with involvement of the AmericanDental Education Association; federal, state, and local healthauthorities; and assistance from national organizations andfoundations that focus on health care. The dental profession has an opportunity to take a leadershiprole in the delivery of health care services to the seniorswho have contributed so vitally to our society’s well-beingand who deserve to be treated with the best oral health care we have to offer.
Dr. Scheinfeld is a prosthodontist specializing in geriatric care.
Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
290 Carpenter Drive, 200A
Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328
404-256-3620
receptionist@rightsmilecenter.com
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[1]Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, Md: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; 2000.
[2] Wikipedia and 2010 Census.
[3] A State of Decay: The Oral Health of Older Americans. Chicago, Ill: Oral Health America; 2003:1–8.
[4] Stoopler ET, Sollecito TP, De Ross SS. Desquamative gingivitis: early presenting system of mucocutaneous disease. Quintessence Int.2003;34:582–586.
[5] Fox PC, Eversole LR. Diseases of the salivary glands. In: Silverman S, Eversole LR, Truelove EL, eds. Essentials of Oral Medicine. Ontario, Canada: BC Decker; 2002:260–276.
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