This
week, we learn about the lack of instruction on tooth brushing, discover the
dental woes of an older population and discuss how the DentaQuest Foundation is
helping strengthen community health dental programs. Join in the conversation
on Twitter using #FridayDentalDL.
1. Dental woes
of an aging population: Whether through physical frailty, cognitive
decline, financial hardship or the inability to get to a dental office, older
Americans often cannot take good care of their teeth, even if they were model
patients in their youth. The needs of older dental patients today are more
challenging than in the past. The task for the dental profession, dental
educators and policymakers will be to develop new models of care, to prepare a
workforce to provide that care and to conduct research with geriatric patients in mind.
2. Memphis
organizations receive dental grants: Christ
Community Health Services and the Memphis Health Center have been selected by the Tennessee Primary
Care Association to receive technical and startup assistance for dental
programs. Community health centers are local engines for healthier communities.
This work is part of a grant to the Tennessee Primary Care Association by the DentaQuest
Foundation
and its Strengthening the Oral Health Safety Net initiative. The goal is to support
the growth of community dental programs so they can serve more individuals and
families in need of quality of oral health care.
3. Lack of
instruction consistency hinders tooth brushing: What is "correct" when it comes to manual
tooth brushing? According to the authors of a new study in the British Dental
Journal, there are many different opinions as to which method is best and no
consensus among professional bodies on the best method. In the U.S., the ADA
has a clear, concise set of general brushing instructions on its MouthHealthy.org website with an accompanying
video. Read our brushing tips here. And, be sure to brush – and floss -- every
day.
4. Taking
charge of your dental electronic record selection: As the dental industry moves into a new era of more
sophisticated dental software, including a new generation of dental electronic
health records (EHRs), dentists, practice managers, and administrators are
becoming increasingly confused about the evaluation and selection of these new
technologies.