Importance of Oral Health Among Older Adults

     Oral hygiene is an important factor in every day life and overall health. An increasing number of older adults are keeping their natural teeth longer than ever before thanks to a focus on prevention, advances in dentistry, and access to optimally fluoridated drinking water (Lifelong Smiles Coalition at a Glance, 2015). The best way to have oral health is preventing disease through brushing daily and flossing along with visiting the dentist regularly. Losing teeth is primarily the result of preventable oral disease and not a result of the aging process, so taking care of your teeth can help them last a lifetime (Aging and Oral Health, 2014). 

     While overall health has improved for seniors, the lack of access to care has implications for millions of elders. Medicare is the nation's health care program for seniors, and it does not cover routine oral care. Overall, roughly 70% of Americans age 65 and older do not have any dental coverage. This affects overall health because nutrition intake is better when a person has most of their teeth, and poor oral health is negatively linked to obesity, sleep apnea, poor chronic disease management, higher LDL ("bad" cholesterol levels), malnutrition, and low self esteem (Christensen, 2013). As good oral health indicates good overall health in older adults, a coalition called the Lifelong Smiles Coalition will be working to give seniors access to oral health care so that it can help their overall health.

     One in three adults over the age of 65 in Iowa have untreated tooth decay while there are 457,738 adults over the age of 65 living in Iowa (Lifelong Smiles Coalition Presentation). Because dental care can be especially difficult for aging Iowans in nursing home facilities and those who are homebound, there was a need for an organization, such as the Lifelong Smiles Coalition, to be created. The mission of the Lifelong Smiles coalition, who is partnered with the Delta Dental Foundation of Iowa, is to assure optimal oral health for aging Iowans (Lifelong Smiles Coalition at a Glance, 2015). The coalition is working to increase the access to oral health care for older Iowans and are also working to improve education, coordination, and policies.

     Iowa is ranked number 7 in the United States for having seniors age 65 and older. The state rank increases with age with the rankings of 75 and older being number 4 in the U.S. and number 3 for 85 and older (Lenhart, 2012). The number of seniors is seen to increase in 2020 according to the Iowa Department on Aging. With such a large population of older adults, it is important for them to have optimal access to dental care to protect not only their teeth, but also their overall health and well being. However, when Iowa Area Associations on Aging affiliates were asked if they were able to easily obtain dental care services for their residents, 69% said no, and 31% responded yes (Lenhart, 2012). Over half of the affiliates asked said they were not able to even obtain dental services for their residents, which is a problem in maintaining good oral health among the older Iowans. This shows the importance of a coalition to be formed, such as Lifelong Smiles, to assure optimal health for the large population of aging Iowans.

For more information, contact the Lifelong Smiles Coalition at lifelongsmilescoalition@gmail.com or visit our website at www.lifelongsmilescoalition.com

References

1. Aging and Oral Health (2014, August 1). Retrieved September 10, 2015, from https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/seniors.html

2. Christensen, P. (2013, October 18). Oral health is a significant factor in overall well-being in seniors. Retrieved September 16, 2015, from http://healthjournalism.org/blog/2013/10/oral-health-is-a-significant-factor-in-overall-well-being-in-seniors/
3. Lenhart, M. (2012, November 30). Oral Health Status of Iowa's Aging Population. Retrieved September 10, 2015, from https://www.deltadentalia.com/foundation/aging

4. Lifelong Smiles Coalition at a Glance. (2015). Johnston, Iowa: Lifelong Smiles Coalition. Print.

5. Lifelong Smiles Coalition Presentation. (2015, April 1). Powerpoint.