Older Americans can face a variety of oral diseases that often are affected by other medical conditions. Oral disease affecting older people include cavities, decay of the tooth root, gum disease, and oral cancer. In addition to facing dental diseases, older adults also experience nutrition and access to service challenges. Older adults and their caregivers may not have the skills to protect their oral health with daily at home oral hygiene. They may choose foods that are convenient, which are often high in carbohydrates, and many older people may have limited access to fresh vegetables and fruits. Many older adults do not have funds necessary to access dental care, and Medicare does not cover dental services. Even for older people who live in cities with many dentists, transportation to dental clinics is limited. For those who live in rural areas, the one existing dental office might be hours away. While the challenges are many, there are ways to address them.

Oral Health Kansas has established several programs/services designed to support seniors’ needs for individualized and specialized oral health care. These include partnering with state and local agencies serving older Kansans, developing and distributing oral health educational and dental hygiene materials. OHK’s team provides educational opportunities for all who support the care and wellbeing of vulnerable elders.

Overarching Goal:
To Improve the oral health of older Kansans

Strategies:
• Increase access to professional dental care for older Kansans
• Offer continuing dental education programs focusing on the conditions and challenges that seniors face
• Provide educational workshops on oral health care to all who provide care and support for vulnerable elders
• Produce public awareness materials for publications addressing the needs of seniors and those who serve them

Partners:
• Kansas Area Agencies on Aging
• Kansas Department for Disabilities and Aging