FYI

Seniors are facing a growing oral health crisis in the U.S. Adults over 65 are projected to outnumber children within the next decade, yet oral health care often remains out of reach. With Medicare excluding dental coverage and many low-income adults lacking Medicaid dental benefits, seniors face serious barriers to care.

A Dr. Bicuspid article breaks down why this problem is accelerating and highlights practical solutions that could help close the gap.

The stakes

• Poor oral health increases the risk of heart disease, cognitive decline, diabetes complications and more.
• Dental care is often one of the largest out-of-pocket expenses for older adults on fixed incomes.
• In Washington D.C., 20% of seniors report transportation and food insecurity as obstacles to dental care.

Community-driven change
The Senior Oral Health Partnership Program, launched in 2022 by the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, with Howard University College of Dentistry and Mary’s Center as inaugural partners, is addressing these barriers to care:

• Serving 5,000+ seniors in D.C. with 82% establishing a dental home (two visits in 12 months).
• Offering comprehensive dental services regardless of ability to pay including preventive, restorative and surgical care.
• Leveraging technology like 3D-printed dentures to reduce the number of in-person visits for patients with mobility challenges.
• Training dental students in Federally Qualified Health Centers to care for older adults, addressing future workforce shortages in underserved areas.

The impact

• Programs like this improve oral and overall health while lowering long-term health care costs.
• The Senior Oral Health Partnership Program has expanded to Santa Cruz, San Diego and the Mississippi Delta, serving over 15,000 seniors nationwide. 

   

To learn more about the topic, read the article.