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Access to Dental Care Among Older Adults in the United States
Author(s) -
Dolan Teresa A.,
Atchison Kathryn,
Huynh Tri N.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1930-7837
pISSN - 0022-0337
DOI - 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2005.69.9.tb03993.x
Subject(s) - workforce , medicine , geriatrics , dental care , gerontology , oral health , family medicine , health care , population , geriatric dentistry , dental auxiliary , medline , diversity (politics) , nursing , dentistry , environmental health , psychiatry , political science , law
Oral health is essential to an older adult's general health and well‐being. Yet, many older adults are not regular users of dental services and may experience significant barriers to receiving necessary dental care. This literature review summarizes national trends in access to dental care and dental service utilization by older adults in the United States. Issues related to geriatric dentistry and concerns about access to dental care include the increasing diversity of the older adult population, concerns about the degree to which the dental workforce is prepared to meet the oral health needs of older patients, and the adequacy of the future workforce, including concern about training opportunities in gerontology and geriatrics for dental and allied dental practitioners.