How We Are Addressing the Public Health Crisis of Senior Oral Health in America

Earlier this year, I highlighted the December 2021 National Institutes of Health report about oral care and emphasized its findings on the dire outcomes of poor oral health in America. Alarmingly, the report cited adults aged 65 years and older are the most critically underserved and vulnerable population for oral health care and the most likely not to have dental benefit coverage.

We believe there is a tremendous opportunity to improve the lives and well-being of older adults, especially those living in poverty, people of color and those whose mobility issues keep them from receiving oral health care. In recognizing this public health crisis, the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California, recently announced the launch of a multi-year program to invest in community-based coalitions to address this serious oral health care situation among seniors.

In collaboration with our first two partners, Howard University College of Dentistry and Mary’s Center — a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), the Foundation’s program is intended to promote the connection between oral health and overall health, provide quality outcomes, improve access and create greater equity in the care and treatment older adults receive. Both partners have previously collaborated to address the health needs of communities of color and drive systemic change within the broader Washington D.C. metro area.

Each partner will collect data on patient pathology, treatment, barriers to access and social determinants of health. The information will be utilized to identify effective interventions and inform the Delta Dental Senior Oral Health Care Model, which will be a replicable model of change. The Foundation will use the model to expand the program to other communities and partnerships over the next three to five years.

The hope for this approach is to share the findings from the Foundation’s senior oral health program to help inform the work of the broader healthcare industry to improve health equity, increase access to care in rural communities and bolster innovative approaches to community outreach and care across the country.

This program is personally meaningful since I was a caretaker for my father before his passing and learned firsthand how the care of aging family members is a team effort. Without access to oral care, seniors face chronic pain, health issues, nutritional deficits and mental health challenges. Oral care is health care.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of seniors. I’m proud to be part of an organization that is striving to create lasting change.

I encourage you to read the announcement to learn even more about the senior oral health program and follow us on social media to stay updated on its progress.