ADA welcomes nursing home dental plan

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot, has announced the preparation of the first oral and dental health care plan for nursing home residents. Federal ADA President Dr Neil Hewson immediately welcomed the plan.

"It demonstrates the first stage of a concerted effort to improve the quality of life of the aged who for too long have had to endure poor oral health and a poor quality of life due to dental pain and discomfort”, Dr Neil Hewson said.

Under the $3 million two-year plan, a staff member from each of Australia's 2,830 aged care homes will be trained in dental hygiene by next year.

The trained staff member will educate other aged care workers to help maintain the teeth of nursing home residents. The plan includes a “hands-on” training program on daily oral hygiene for aged care workers to help older people retain their teeth and reduce illness related to dental health.

Research quoted in ADA representations on this issue shows that in 1979, 60 per cent of aged care home residents had no natural teeth and by 1989, the proportion had fallen to 44 per cent. Within 10 years, it is expected to drop to 20 per cent.