Oral health critical to overall wellbeing at all ages
Access to dental services is an issue for older people living in the community and in residential aged care, and it must be addressed, writes Patricia Sparrow.
There are issues with older Australians’ access to dental services, which need to be addressed.
Access to dental services is an issue for older people regardless of whether they are living in the community or in residential aged care.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended the establishment and implementation of a Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme; a recommendation COTA Australia has been advocating for years. Unfortunately, to this point, no action has been taken.
Good dental care is essential to overall health, no matter your age. However, as you get older the risk of broader health implications increases.
Older Australians are more susceptible to chronic diseases such as dental decay, gum disease and oral cancer. As well as related outcomes including increased embarrassment and social isolation.
There is also a concerning link between poor dental health and increased risks of diabetes, heart disease and chronic malnutrition in older people.
The statistics are stark and highlight why a Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme is needed: Australian Dental Association 2022-23 data shows that 16,000 people over the age of 65 ended up in hospital because they couldn’t afford to go to the dentist.
In fact, the cost of accessing dental care is the main blockage with 57 per cent saying it’s the reason they delay or don’t go to the dentist.
People said this in our polling in April 2024 and this response was confirmed when the ADA undertook their annual study of 25,000 people. It found that affordability was the main reason older Australians put off getting dental treatment, with almost two in three over 65s (64 per cent) delaying dental trips in the last year, because they couldn’t afford it.
The government has introduced a Children’s Dental Benefits Scheme, so it is unclear why it isn’t considering the same for older Australians.
The recent Senior Dental Benefits Schedule pilot successfully trialled by the ADA in Maroubra, in Sydney’s east, reinforces the fact that if older Australians can take care of their oral health for the next five-to-10 years, it will massively reduce the burden to the overall health system in the following decade and beyond.
As I write this, we still have no commitment to such a scheme, although there is acknowledgement of need for action in the future. It is becoming abundantly clear that we will need to continue the fight alongside our colleagues at the ADA to ensure older people can access timely dental care.
Watch the ADA Senior Dental Benefits Schedule pilot press conference:
Patricia Sparrow is chief executive of COTA Australia
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