title: Innovations in dental care delivery for the older adult.
abstract: Access to and reducing disparities in oral health for older adults is a complex problem that requires innovative strategies. In addition to offering dental services in alternative settings, such as senior centers, places that are familiar to older adults, and where physical limitations can be better accommodated, alternatives to the traditional provider should be considered. Many states are changing laws and practice acts to allow dental hygienists to provide preventive services without the supervision of a dentist. Also, collaborations between dental and non-dental professionals can be a successful strategy for increasing access to oral health care for this high-risk population.
authors.affiliation: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 3270 Covent Garden Drive, Reno, NV 89509, USA. Electronic address: LynnABethel@aol.com.
authors.forename: Lynn Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bethel
authors.affiliation: New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Dental Health, Room 957, ESP Corning Tower, Albany, NY 12237, USA.
authors.forename: Esther E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; 1047 Belmont Street, Watertown, MA 02472, USA.
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Seitz
authors.affiliation: Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Oral Health Department, Cambridge Health Alliance Windsor Street Health Center, 119 Windsor Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Swann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education; D004497:Education, Dental; D006268:Health Facilities; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011320:Primary Health Care
keywords: Access; Innovative; Older adults; Public health; Workforce