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New analysis from the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) analysis heart primarily based at SAHMRI has revealed one in 5 individuals dwelling in Australian residential aged care (RAC) services has a major oral well being drawback, with little entry to dental companies.
An evaluation of 360,305 residents confirmed 19.6% entered residential aged care with at the very least one oral well being concern, together with points like gum illness, tooth loss and cavities.
The findings are printed within the Medical Journal of Australia.
Greater than 7,000 residents had been hospitalized on account of oral well being problems, regardless of half of these instances being probably preventable.
Lead researcher, Professor Gill Caughey, says acceptable entry to dental care is trigger for concern.
“Our findings highlight that oral health care for our most vulnerable older Australians is not meeting the mark. These hospitalizations are really the tip of the iceberg in terms of poor oral health care and their impact on these individuals’ health and well-being,” Prof Caughey mentioned.
Poor oral well being is linked to a number of comorbidities with the potential to extend the chance of poor well being outcomes, resembling heart problems, pneumonia, and cognitive decline.
“Systemic barriers to better oral health care include poor access, high staff turnover, limited dental/oral health education, high costs, and poor integration between aged care and health sectors,” Prof Caughey mentioned.
“Despite clear recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in 2021, including improved access to dental services and the establishment of a Senior Dental Benefits Scheme, there has been little progress.”
“If we’re serious about improving the well-being of older Australians, urgent policy and practice changes to prioritize oral health care need to be adopted,” Professor Caughey mentioned.
The work was carried out in collaboration with the South Australian Oral Well being Plan Older Individual’s Working Group, with the findings offering additional proof of the necessity for a Senior Dental Advantages Scheme.
Extra data:
Gillian E Caughey et al, The oral well being care wants of individuals dwelling in residential aged care, Australia, 2016–20: a retrospective cross‐sectional research, Medical Journal of Australia (2025). DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52625
Supplied by
South Australian Well being and Medical Analysis Institute (SAHMRI)
Quotation:
Pressing motion wanted to deal with oral well being in aged care, researchers say (2025, March 19)
retrieved 19 March 2025
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