Another Voice: Aging nation needs to focus more on dental care

Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act, did not address oral health or dentistry, which was very shortsighted. Now there is a parade of Republican presidential candidates determined to get rid of Obamacare. No matter what happens with Obamacare or national health care, dentistry needs to be in the discussion.

Oral health is an important issue among our aging population. Dentistry and oral health cannot be put on the back burner or left off the stove entirely.

Good oral health, for the elderly especially, is just as important as any other kind of health concern, yet only one-third of the elderly living below the poverty level see a dentist. Bacterium in the mouth is a cause of heart failure and heart disease. Oral health problems, whether from missing teeth, old dentures, cavities, gum ailment or poor health, can cause difficulty eating and can force people to reduce their quality of life and destroy a balanced diet.

Oral health troubles are not usually associated with dying, although oral cancers result in nearly 8,000 deaths each year, and more than half of these deaths occur among persons 65 years of age and older.

Research is consistent that dental health is connected to a prolonged, healthier life.

At this time there are more Americans age 65 and older than at any other time in U.S. history. According to the Census Bureau, there were 40 million people age 65 and older on April 1, 2010, up from 35 million in 2000.

Between now and 2030, the United States will experience considerable growth in its older population. In 2040, the population aged 65 and over is projected to be almost 80 million, almost double our current population of 43 million. The baby boomers are largely responsible for this increase in the older population, as they began turning 65 in 2010. By 2030, many baby boomers will be over the age of 85. The aging of the population will have wide-ranging implications for the country.

As the United States ages over the next several decades, its older population will become more racially and ethnically diverse.

The projected growth of the older population in the United States will present challenges to policy makers and programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and national health care.

With so much national focus on the rising costs of health care and improving individuals’ quality of life, the accessibility to dental care and redefining dental insurance to serve more people must be a federal priority, in both political parties.

Andy Jakson is owner and CEO of Evolution Dental Science in Cheektowaga.

Source: http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/another-voice/another-voice-aging-nation-needs-to-focus-more-on-dental-care-20151013

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