Calls for government to boost aged care oral health training and services

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Many aged care residents are dependent on carers to look after their health and wellbeing, including ensuring their teeth or dentures are cleaned and checked daily.  Now there are growing calls for the next federal government to boost oral health training and services within aged care homes.

Transcript

00:00Treading the halls with a tray of tricks.

00:07Hello Arlene.

00:09It's getting harder for Arlene Freeland to look after her teeth.

00:14I try my best and some days it's not good enough really.

00:19So it twists like that.

00:21A dental therapist is showing nursing home residents and staff

00:25how to properly do daily preventative care.

00:28And it cleans the outside, the inside and the top of the teeth all at once.

00:34But this facility near Brisbane is a rarity.

00:37Most don't have the cash for such a service.

00:40Oral health hasn't rated.

00:43Amina Shipp has spent years pushing for better aged care in her mother's name.

00:49She says when Maria moved into a home staff told her not to bother bringing her dentures.

00:55So that was when the issues started with the sores on the gums which led to infections and pain.

01:04The 98 year old lost her enjoyment of eating and more than 20 kilos dying in 2019.

01:12While there's been an aged care royal commission and policy change in the years since, advocates say mouths deserve more attention.

01:21We need money across Australia for dentally led training for health workers and carers in how to do best practice oral health care.

01:32And there's been no commitment to a publicly funded dental scheme for seniors recommended four years ago.

01:39We need to introduce a seniors dental benefit scheme that ensures that whether you live in the community or in residential care,

01:45you can afford and get the oral health care that you need.

01:48One survey found 54% of older Australians either hesitate in getting dental treatment or can't afford it at all.

01:57But reform of the nation's dental system remains elusive.

02:01Take dental care seriously. It is important in terms of the general health of the community.

02:06Take a look, buddy!

02:07Take a look.

02:08And then everybody, very interesting.

02:09See you then.

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