Recorded presentation

Veronica A. Greene, DDS, MPH, Asst. Prof., USC School of Dentistry, 925 W. 34th Street, DEN 4206, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641, 213 740-1255, vgreene@usc.edu

Objectives/Rationale: Among the elderly, oral health has not been appreciated as significant to overall health, other than advanced stages of disease such as oropharyngeal cancer. A major goal of the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health (2000) was to eliminate disparities among the most vulnerable citizens, poor children, elderly, racial/ethnic minority groups. Methods: This report addresses specific but limited actions taken by stakeholders, for the growing elderly populations' oral health needs, since the release of the "National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health". Dental care has been approached as tertiary or secondary, when acute injuries or disabling conditions occurred. In general, this approach represents the most costly means of controlling morbidity attributed to oral/dental disorders. Estimated cost in the year 2000 was > $60 billion, according to (HCFA) Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (US Dept.HHS, 2000). Primary prevention could reduce these costs up to 4-fold, while measurably improving quality of life. Discussion: Interactions between racial/ethnic demographics and health outcomes are an ongoing focus of research. Factors more reflective of socioeconomics or environment may prove more valuable in defining prevention or implementing effective intervention strategies to reduce oral and systemic diseases among the most vulnerable. We are still lacking a comprehensive plan to eliminate these growing disparities. An effective plan must involve multiple strategies and key stakeholders, including advocates, elected officials, corporations, all levels of health care providers, and disenfranchised communities.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives

• Discuss the ongoing epidemic of unmet oral health needs of elderly and minority populations.
• Describe limited actions that have occurred although recommended by the "National Call to Action Agenda."
• Discuss what an effective comprehensive plan must incorporate to move from crisis to accomplishments.

Keywords: Elderly, Oral Health Needs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation