CONSULATE
Consulate Dental Plans, Oral Health Care in Nursing Homes.
According to a study published in the July/August 2002 issue of General Dentistry, that elderly people who live in nursing homes are at greater risk for oral health problems compared to elderly people who live independently. In the study evidence shows that older Americans are at risk for greater oral health problems than other groups because of age and the inability to get to a dentist’s office due to an existing medical condition or lack of transportation.
According to the report, greater awareness among health care providers and caregivers can do much to ensure the elderly receive good oral health care, primarily through assessments of the patient’s mouth. Before choosing a nursing home for an elderly person, relatives and loved ones should inquire about the quality and consistency of dental care at the facility