A community-based program to facilitate dental care for senior citizens.

This article presents findings of a one-year trial which examined a community-based program in Clinton County, Indiana, to help facilitate entry of senior citizens into the oral health care delivery system. A multifaceted approach addressed the senior citizens' limited knowledge of oral health care, personal barriers to obtaining dental services, and the community's concern for the health of older citizens. Program components included oral health education (newspaper articles, presentations, pamphlet distribution), personalized patient motivation ("Bring-a-Friend" campaign), and oral health screenings (public screenings and "Senior Day at the Dentist"). During the study year, 345 patients visited the dentist, compared to 179 in the baseline year. Ninety-three participated in the two "Senior Day" screenings, and 53 percent of the total 134 screening patients returned for follow-up care. Given its experimental nature, the program was a success.