Department of Prosthodontics, Dental School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Gerodontology. 2012 Jun;29(2):e1230-40. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-2358.2010.00445.x. Epub 2011 May 25.
To discuss the preparedness of the social and health care systems and the health workforce in Europe to manage the increasing general and oral health care needs of older adults.
There are large inequalities across European countries and regions in the demographic, socioeconomic and health status of the elderly. The ageing of the population and the economic crisis put at risk the existing social and health care systems and are expected to further widen the existing inequalities. Despite the increase in funding for the general health care, public funding for dental care has reduced, limiting the access for the disadvantaged elderly. Dental care is isolated from health care policies and funding. At the same time there is a significant shortage of adequately trained personnel in the care of the elderly and a shortage of training opportunities particularly at a postgraduate and continuing education level.
Immediate action is needed and appropriate strategies need to be implemented. Oral health prevention, delivery policies and funding should be integrated within the general health care system. Clinical protocols and guidelines need to be developed on the oral care of the elderly. Interdisciplinary training in the care of the elderly needs to be implemented for all health care workers (dentists, physicians, nurses, health care aids, social workers) at all education levels to enhance comprehensive care.
讨论欧洲社会和卫生保健系统及卫生人力在管理老年人日益增长的一般和口腔卫生保健需求方面的准备情况。
欧洲各国和各地区老年人的人口、社会经济和健康状况存在着巨大的不平等。人口老龄化和经济危机使现有的社会和卫生保健系统面临风险，并预计将进一步扩大现有的不平等。尽管用于一般卫生保健的资金有所增加，但用于牙科保健的公共资金却减少了，限制了弱势群体老年人的获得机会。牙科保健与卫生保健政策和资金相分离。与此同时，老年人护理方面的合格人员严重短缺，培训机会，特别是研究生和继续教育水平的培训机会也短缺。
需要立即采取行动，并实施适当的战略。口腔卫生预防、提供政策和资金应纳入一般卫生保健系统。需要制定关于老年人口腔护理的临床方案和准则。需要为各级卫生保健工作者（牙医、医生、护士、卫生保健助理、社会工作者）实施老年人护理方面的跨学科培训，以加强全面护理。
