Nationally, 10,000 baby boomers reach retirement age every day. In Washington that means approximately 830,000 adults are over age 65 and the number is growing rapidly. Typically by age 65, older adults are managing at least two chronic conditions and are usually taking multiple medications to control symptoms.
Older adults are more likely to have diabetes. Severe gum disease can make it more difficult for people with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels. Lack of blood sugar control leads to costly diabetic complications. Many seniors take multiple medications which increases their risk for dry mouth, which can quickly lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Untreated dental disease can also result in pain, infection, poor nutrition, and even social isolation, all of which can have a devastating impact on quality of life. Yet regular preventive dental care may help avoid these issues and expensive emergency department visits.
Most seniors lack private dental insurance and Medicare does not cover dental care. Many seniors on a fixed income cannot afford to pay the usual and customary fees of private dentists or do not understand the importance of oral health and thus do not prioritize paying out-of-pocket for care.
What the Legislature can do:
- Protect existing dental coverage for vulnerable adults on Medicaid.
- Protect state funding to Area Agencies on Aging, which play a critical role in promoting healthy aging including good oral health.
Oral Health Watch
2h
Oral health is health and dental coverage is health coverage. The Apple Health adult dental program is essential to ensure lower-income residents living in Washington state can prevent oral disease and small dental problems from getting worse. #teethmatter #waleg
Oral Health Watch
3h
Oral health is health and dental coverage is health coverage. The Apple Health adult dental program is essential to ensure lower-income residents living in Washington state can prevent oral disease and small dental problems from getting worse. #teethmatter #waleg
Oral Health Watch
1d
WA state's Apple Health adult dental program helps keep people healthy. It helps prevent small problems from getting bigger & avoid needless pain from untreated cavities. Apple Health adult dental is not only good policy; it's the right thing to do #teethmatter #waleg
Untreated, often preventable, oral diseases send more than 2.1 million Americans to the emergency room each year, unnecessarily burdening the healthcare system. Preventive oral health care is critical to maintaining optimal overall health.
Oral Health Watch
1d
Water fluoridation benefits everyone - regardless of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic level. But it is especially beneficial for people who lack access to routine preventive dental care like seniors on fixed incomes, underserved communities and uncovered individuals. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
1d
Water fluoridation benefits everyone - regardless of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic level. But it is especially beneficial for people who lack access to routine preventive dental care like seniors on fixed incomes, underserved communities and uncovered individuals. #teethmatter
How can you help improve oral health equity in our state? Visit http://WashingtonWaterFluoridation.org to find and share important resources about community water fluoridation! #NationalFluorideDay
Oral Health Watch
2d
Thanks to water fluoridation - and communities like Grand Rapids, MI committed to public health - millions of Americans continue to experience the benefits of stronger teeth protected against cavities with the simple act of drinking fluoridated drinking water. #teethmatter
Today, January 25th is the 76th anniversary of water #fluoridation. Pictured is the water sculpture erected in Grand Rapids, MI, celebrating this historic public health measure.