How to make dental care more inclusive for seniors and people with disabilities

Dental care is an important aspect of everyone’s life. No matter their age or condition. Due to many factors, like money and transportation, there are still groups of people who do not receive the dental care they need. 

Seniors and people with disabilities are two groups. In this week’s blog, our team wants to share how dental professionals can make dental care more accessible to these two groups. 

Why dental care is important for seniors and people with disabilities

Two simple ways to keep the mouths healthy of seniors and people with disabilities is by seeing a dentist regularly and establishing healthy dental habits. If either of these two groups are not getting the care they need, they could develop oral or health problems. 

For seniors, poor oral hygiene could be detrimental to their nutritional status and health. If a senior develops cavities or loses their teeth, it could lead to poor eating habits. People with disabilities that have poor oral hygiene have an increased risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and chronic diseases. 

Reasons why seniors and people with disabilities have oral problems

Although keeping the teeth of these two groups of people is a priority, they do not always get the care they need. Here is a list of some common reasons why seniors and people with disabilities develop oral problems. 

Need help brushing their teeth

One of the reasons why seniors and people with disabilities struggle with oral problems is due to their limited range of motion. Some of these people are not able to brush and floss their teeth regularly. They require assistance to brush their teeth. 

Cost of dental care

Visiting a dentist regularly is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy mouth. They help spot cavities, gum disease and detect oral cancer. For seniors and people with disabilities, seeing a dentist regularly can be out of their budget. 

Get anxious and scared

The third reason is due to dental anxiety. Older adults and people with disabilities can feel intimidated when sitting in the dentist's chair for their checkups and treatments. It can be difficult for them to stay still and keep their mouths open for long periods of time. 

How dentists can make dental care more inclusive

There are ways that dentists and their office staff can help make dental care more accessible for senior citizens and people living with disabilities. A great way to start is by providing oral sedation, also known as minimal sedation. 

This kind of sedation helps patients feel relaxed when sitting in the dentist’s chair. It is also safe enough for most seniors and people living with disabilities. In order to administer this kind of sedation in your office, you will need to get certified by taking oral sedation courses for dentists. If you are already certified, it is important to maintain your certification to keep updated with new regulations. 

Need oral sedation courses for dentists? 

Look no further! Midwest Sedation Consultants can help you get your oral sedation recertification all online! Our courses are taught by professionals. Register to one of our classes today!