Abstract
In Missouri, 18% of the population is aged over 65 years and 14.2% of the same population reports total extraction of their teeth. Nearly 85,000 people who are elderly, and differently abled receive institutionalized care. Missouri ranks below the national average for quality of care provided in nursing homes, and maintains a low status for institutionalized and noninstitutionalized access to oral health care. The reasons for this are myriad, however, one prevailing reason is oral healthcare provider shortage in the form of dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants. As of 2023, 338 Dental Care healthcare provider shortage areas were designated in Missouri leaving more than two million people without access. In 2022, the Missouri Dental Board in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Dental Health released pilot project proposals to better meet the oral health needs of underserved populations in Missouri, especially the aging and institutionalized population. One such project leverages and expands the collaboration of dental professionals (Nursing Home Pilot Project with Telehealth), and one elevates the Dental Assistant to alleviate the impact of shortages among Dental Hygienists (EFDA-Oral Preventive Assistant (OPA) Pilot Program). This poster compares and contrasts the two pilots and predicts impacts with the intent to guide other states and regions in their management of reduced access to oral healthcare among the aging population.
Presenters
Julie SuttonAssociate Professor, Division of Dental Hygiene, The University of Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Public Policy and Public Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Access to Care, Healthcare Provider Shortage Area, Aging, Oral Health
