Bethel Lynn Ann, Kim Esther E, Seitz Charles M, Swann Brian J
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 3270 Covent Garden Drive, Reno, NV 89509, USA.
New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Dental Health, Room 957, ESP Corning Tower, Albany, NY 12237, USA.
Dent Clin North Am. 2014 Oct;58(4):845-55. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2014.07.003. Epub 2014 Jul 30.
Access to and reducing disparities in oral health for older adults is a complex problem that requires innovative strategies. In addition to offering dental services in alternative settings, such as senior centers, places that are familiar to older adults, and where physical limitations can be better accommodated, alternatives to the traditional provider should be considered. Many states are changing laws and practice acts to allow dental hygienists to provide preventive services without the supervision of a dentist. Also, collaborations between dental and non-dental professionals can be a successful strategy for increasing access to oral health care for this high-risk population.
改善老年人的口腔健康并减少差距是一个复杂的问题，需要创新策略。除了在诸如老年中心等老年人熟悉且能更好适应身体限制的替代场所提供牙科服务外，还应考虑传统医疗服务提供者之外的其他选择。许多州正在修改法律和执业法案，允许口腔保健员在无需牙医监督的情况下提供预防服务。此外，牙科专业人员与非牙科专业人员之间的合作可能是增加这一高风险人群获得口腔医疗服务机会的成功策略。
