According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the average Australian aged 75 and over has more than 24 missing, decayed or filled teeth – around 75 per cent of the average adult’s total teeth. More than half of people aged 65 and over also experience periodontal disease (infection), while two in three have gum disease. This makes supporting good oral health in residential aged care a challenge, but it remains a vital part of the Aged Care Quality Standards.
“The need for dental care in residential aged care homes has never been greater,”” said Dr Greg Miller, Chairman of the Australian Dental Foundation (ADF). “Even when you remove the number of people who have full dentures, we are looking at a disease burden that affects the overall health and well-being of older people and causes preventable hospital admissions.”
Mobile Dental Care
A registered charity, ADF is Australia’s largest provider of mobile dental services in residential aged care. It is on track to visit more than 400 homes and 10,000 patients in 2025. With well-established bases in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, this year ADF has also started visiting homes in Western Australia and Queensland.
“We have been active over the past decade, not only in advocating for better funding and provision of dental care for older people, but also in putting boots on the ground to take mobile dental services to residents in aged care facilities,” Dr Miller said.
“Providing a mobile dental service, together with on-site education and support for staff, has significantly improved the quality of life for many residents who previously faced challenges accessing traditional dental care.”
ADF has signed service agreements with several large providers, including Uniting AgeWell, Eldercare, Arcare, Calvary, Regis, Bolton Clark and Mercy Place. These agreements include education for staff on how to care for seniors’ teeth – demonstrating providers’ commitment to supporting the oral health of older people in their care.
Victorian operations manager for residential services at Uniting AgeWell, Ian Blair, said provision of a mobile dental service, together with on-site education and support for staff, had significantly improved the quality of life for many residents who previously faced challenges accessing traditional dental care.
“The mobile dental services offered by ADF bring high-quality dental care directly into our aged care homes,” he said. “Their approach not only addresses the physical barriers to accessing dental care but also demonstrates a profound understanding of the unique needs of aged care residents, helping to minimise stress and enabling them to receive their dental care in a familiar environment.”
Importance of Oral Health
The mouth is the entry point to the digestive and respiratory tracts, and without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, tooth decay and gum disease. Certain medications can also reduce saliva flow. Saliva washes away food and neutralises acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect against microbes that multiply and lead to disease.
Studies show that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with a severe form of gum disease (periodontitis) may play a role in some diseases. Poor oral health may contribute to various diseases and conditions, including mental health conditions and memory problems, endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, aspiration pneumonia, diabetes, osteoporosis, weight loss, rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers and dry mouth (Sjogren’s Syndrome).
To protect residents’ health, they need to be supported towards good daily oral health practices. Oral health assessment by non-dental health professionals does not replace a comprehensive assessment by a dentist. Residents should ideally see the dentist every six months for a check-up, scaling, cleaning and fluoride treatment, and the dentist should be contacted as soon as an oral health problem arises.
Australian Dental Foundation