Pyle Marsha A, Stoller Eleanor P
School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4905, USA.
J Dent Educ. 2003 Dec;67(12):1327-36.
The elderly, like other population groups, have experienced varying levels of oral health among their diverse demographic subgroups. For those in poverty, experiencing social isolation, residing in long-term care institutions, and with complex medical illness, oral health care may be unreachable. Various models of training, education, and community, public, and professional collaboration have been proposed, yet few strategies have been implemented. Interdisciplinary approaches that bring interested partners together as equal stakeholders may create faster tracks in improving access to health care for those geriatric patients who lack it. This article explores past and present recommendations for interdisciplinary collaborations, reviews the current and future needs of the geriatric population, discusses educational models and content, and expresses the need for leadership to address oral health disparities in the elderly. Finally, strategies for making improvements in the existing oral health disparities are discussed.
与其他人群一样，老年人在其不同的人口亚组中经历了不同程度的口腔健康状况。对于那些贫困、经历社会隔离、居住在长期护理机构以及患有复杂疾病的老年人来说，口腔保健可能难以获得。人们已经提出了各种培训、教育以及社区、公众和专业合作的模式，但很少有策略得到实施。将感兴趣的合作伙伴作为平等的利益相关者聚集在一起的跨学科方法，可能会为那些缺乏医疗保健的老年患者创造更快改善获得医疗保健机会的途径。本文探讨了过去和现在关于跨学科合作的建议，回顾了老年人群当前和未来的需求，讨论了教育模式和内容，并表达了需要领导力来解决老年人口腔健康差异问题。最后，讨论了改善现有口腔健康差异的策略。
