More and more, oral health care is playing a greater role
in maintaining our aging population. It
has become vital to older patients as it relates to their overall global
health. Oral conditions affected 3.9
billion people, and untreated caries in permanent teeth was the most prevalent
condition evaluated for the entire Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study (global
prevalence of 35% for all ages combined).[1]
Oral conditions combined accounted for 15 million disability-adjusted
life-years (DALYs) globally, implying an average health loss of 224 years per
100,000 population.[2]
DALYs due to oral conditions increased 20.8% between 1990
and 2010, mainly due to population growth and aging.[3] By 2015, the US population is expected to
increase to 312 million (3.08 million in 2010) and 14.7% of the population will
be aged 65 years or older. While
effective preventive measures exist for younger populations (water
fluoridation, dental sealants and parents), no preventive measures have been
devised to address the expected increase in oral health needs of the aging
population.
IADR President Helen Whelton from the University of Cork,
Ireland, elaborated, "The fact that a preventable oral disease is the most
prevalent of all 291 diseases and injuries examined in the GBD 2010 is quite
sobering and should cause all of us to redouble our efforts to raise awareness
of the importance of oral health to policymakers." The dental profession
has an opportunity to take a leadership role in the delivery of health care
services to the seniors who have contributed so vitally to our society’s
well-being and who deserve to be treated with the best oral health care we have
to offer. This can only be accomplished
with a better educated population. Dr.
Scheinfeld is a prosthodontist specializing in geriatric care. The Right Smile Team, including in-house
periodontist Will Zinney is designed to treat our aging population. Call for an evaluation of your oral health
care needs.
Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
290 Carpenter Drive, 200A
Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328
404-256-3620
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