Strayer M S
Section of Community Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
J Public Health Dent. 1993 Spring;53(2):83-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-7325.1993.tb02680.x.
The changing oral health status of older adults has focused attention on the need to broaden oral health promotion and prevention activities for this group. The Oral Health Working Group of the US Surgeon General's Workshop: Health Promotion and Aging recently reported that more activities are needed in education and service for older adults--areas that fall within the purview of state and local health agencies. Although dental public health programs for older adults have received more attention, the current breadth and variety of state dental health activities for older adults is unknown. This telephone survey of state dental health departments found that among the 10 states with the largest older adult populations, five were providing oral health programs for the elderly. The 30 states reporting the existence of oral health programs for the elderly account for 58 percent of the total US elderly population. Oral health activities were quite varied, with the majority of states focusing on institutionalized patients and their care givers. Respondents reported that access to dental consultants with gerontological training and information on model oral health programs for older adults would assist program development. Public health agencies play a significant role in improving the quality of life for the nation's elderly. Dental public health programs clearly have demonstrated the ability to improve health prevention and health promotion among younger populations. It is crucial to utilize these skills to begin to enhance the oral health and quality of life of older adults, as well.
老年人不断变化的口腔健康状况已使人们开始关注针对该群体扩大口腔健康促进和预防活动的必要性。美国卫生局局长研讨会：健康促进与老龄化的口腔健康工作组最近报告称，针对老年人的教育和服务方面需要开展更多活动，而这些领域属于州和地方卫生机构的职权范围。尽管针对老年人的牙科公共卫生项目受到了更多关注，但目前州级针对老年人开展的牙科健康活动的广度和多样性尚不清楚。这项对州牙科卫生部门的电话调查发现，在老年人口最多的10个州中，有5个州正在为老年人提供口腔健康项目。报告存在针对老年人的口腔健康项目的30个州占美国老年人口总数的58%。口腔健康活动种类繁多，大多数州将重点放在机构化患者及其护理人员身上。受访者表示，获得经过老年病学培训的牙科顾问以及有关老年人示范口腔健康项目的信息将有助于项目的开展。公共卫生机构在改善该国老年人的生活质量方面发挥着重要作用。牙科公共卫生项目已清楚地表明有能力改善年轻人群体的健康预防和健康促进状况。利用这些技能来开始提高老年人的口腔健康和生活质量也至关重要。
