Delivery programmes for elderly and isolated populations.
The provision of dental care for the elderly and for other isolated population groups cannot be ignored. In particular, special provision must be made for the housebound and institutionalized elderly as well as for those who are isolated for social or medical reasons. Continuous liason with social service personnel and health service workers, as well as with voluntary agencies, is essential for identifying and treating these populations. The assessment of dental treatment needs must take account of the clinical dental status of the subjects, their demands for treatment and their oral handicaps. The aims should be to treat overt oral and dental pathology and to relieve oral handicaps. Treatment should be readily available and must not be an added burden for those who are already medically or socially disadvantaged. Careful consideration must be given to treatment and manpower requirements. The dental team should consist of people who are particularly skilled at treating elderly and/or handicapped people. Schemes for domiciliary visits should be devised and facilities such as mobile dental units and dental surgeries within long-stay hospitals should be made available. Most importantly, in order to provide an appropriate ongoing dental service, dental personnel and other health workers must be totally committed to making quality dental health care available to all.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003729:Dental Care / Q000379:methods*; D006285:Health Planning; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D000078329:Workforce