Group aims to improve senior’s oral care

CEDAR RAPIDS - A new public-private partnership aims to increase access to oral health care to Iowa's aging population.

Iowa has more than 450,000 adults aged 65 years and older, according to Delta Dental of Iowa, the state's largest dental insurance company. And as people live longer and keep their natural teeth longer, the state must deal with changes in the continuing dental needs of seniors.

'Delivering care to folks in nursing homes is increasingly challenging,” said Mary Jane Carothers, chairwoman of the Lifelong Smiles Coalition and director of quality and clinical services at Iowa Health Care Association.

Delta Dental estimates that three in four adults over the age of 65 do not have dental insurance, which is often cited as a barrier to care, while one-third of adults in the same age group have untreated tooth decay.

This group of people often has disabilities that prevent them from leaving nursing facilities, Carothers said, adding that seniors with dementia present unique challenges because they can be uncooperative when receiving care.

The Lifelong Smiles Coalition - made up of 13 state agencies, advocacy organizations, health care groups, academic institutions and the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation - kicked off a campaign in mid-November to address the issues affecting seniors and oral care.

The coalition is working to improve education and training opportunities, care coordination, and policies across the state, said Suzanne Heckenlaible, the executive director of the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. The foundation offered $600,000 in grants to fund efforts.

' The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics has established an Office of Education and Training to coordinate, develop and evaluate continuing dental education programs for dentists, hygienists and assistants, specifically targeted at geriatric oral health care. The office was established with the help of a $102,100 grant.

' The Iowa Department of Public Health's I-Smile Silver project will receive $360,100 over the next two years to develop a community-based system of care to improve the oral health of Iowans age 60 and older. The pilot project, which Heckenlaible said is modeled after a similar program that addresses oral care to children receiving Medicaid benefits, will work to prevent dental disease, increase access to oral health care and maintain health for homebound and nursing home residents in Scott and Lee Counties.

' The Iowa Caregivers received a Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation grant for $135,516 to provide oral health education for direct care workers, helping them better address the oral health care needs of homebound and nursing home residents. Carothers said this program will develop a curriculum that allows care givers to obtain a specialist certificate in oral care.