Sifuentes Andriana M Foiles, Lapane Kate L
Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Clinical and Population Health Research, Division Chief and Professor of Epidemiology- Department of Population and Quantitative Health, Sciences University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655.
J Nurs Home Res Sci. 2020;6:1-5.
A "silent epidemic" of oral diseases is afflicting older adults. Older adults develop coronal caries at "approximately one new cavity per year". Despite the rapidly growing older adult population, no recent data exist for adults aged ≥ 75 years. Oral disease impacts physical, psychological, and social well-being through pain, diminished function, and reduced quality of life. People of color disproportionately experience oral disease, yet little is known about racial/ethnic disparities in older adults. In the United States, the Health and Human Services Oral Health Strategic Framework proposed concrete steps to eliminate oral health disparities. Notably absent from this strategic plan is explicit consideration of nursing home residents. In the United States, federal regulations require nursing homes to evaluate oral health needs and facilitate access to dental care. Compliance to the regulations is unknown. Data are urgently required to provide essential information for program planning and evaluation on "racial and ethnic minorities, rural populations, and the frail elderly".
一场口腔疾病的“无声流行病”正在困扰着老年人。老年人“每年大约会出现一颗新龋齿”。尽管老年人口迅速增长，但目前尚无针对75岁及以上成年人的最新数据。口腔疾病通过疼痛、功能减退和生活质量下降影响身体、心理和社会福祉。有色人种遭受口腔疾病的影响尤为严重，但对于老年人中的种族/族裔差异却知之甚少。在美国，卫生与公众服务部的口腔健康战略框架提出了消除口腔健康差异的具体措施。该战略计划中明显没有明确考虑疗养院居民。在美国，联邦法规要求疗养院评估口腔健康需求并便利获得牙科护理。法规的遵守情况不明。迫切需要数据来为有关“种族和少数族裔、农村人口以及体弱老年人”的项目规划和评估提供基本信息。
