Stop the Rot! Oral care must be a priority for older Australians say NSW dentists

These are some of the recommendations the Australian Dental Association New South Wales will make to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety tomorrow (Thursday, July 16)

The Association would also like to see an oral health assessment for every person entering a residential aged care facility (RACF) and a public awareness campaign on the benefits of good oral health.

"Access to dental check-ups should be a basic right in 2020 for everyone, but older Australians are missing out," ADA NSW President Dr Kathleen Matthews said.

"The economic impact of poor oral health for older Australians costs an estimated $750m a year, yet access to oral health care lags behind hairdressing and podiatry for our country's elderly.

"Poor oral health and hygiene can hugely impact older Australians' health and quality of life. It significantly increases the risk of pneumonia, oral infections, poor nutrition and other life-threatening conditions.

"Without oral health there is no health. It's time to stop the rot and ensure that oral health is a priority for older Australians.

"RACF staff do a terrific job but often lack the time or training to carry out basic daily oral hygiene measures such as tooth brushing and denture cleaning," Dr Matthews said. "This means elderly residents can go weeks and even months without anyone even looking in their mouth.

"It can be even worse for residents with dementia and other cognitive abilities, who cannot communicate pain and oral health problems.

"Oral health care needs within RACFs, including oral health assessments on admission, basic daily oral hygiene measures and access to professional oral health care are not being met."

To view the ADA NSW's recommendations and for more details, click here.