Forum: Grassroots-level interventions needed to educate seniors on dental health

I am writing regarding the article “

Seniors in Singapore visit the dentist less often, are at risk of growing more frail: Study

” (Jan 12).

It was rightly pointed out that seniors may only visit a dentist if they experience an issue.

In fact, among older adults, cost concerns, poor dental education and awareness, dental fear and the location of facilities have often been barriers to the utilisation of dental services.

There have been improvements in geriatric dental education, research and service costs.

For example, the Oral Health Education Programme trains non-dental healthcare professionals like caregivers in nursing homes to deliver basic oral healthcare and identify common dental conditions.

There is also an increased emphasis on geriatric dental care in clinics, an increase in geriatric dental research and higher subsidies under the CHAS scheme.

However, we still do not see a significant increase in dental visits.

It seems that even though long-term programmes are being looked into, there is room for additional intervention.

Providing basic dental education to domestic helpers who are caregivers for seniors in their homes could help bring increased dental awareness and provide emotional support to the seniors.

The seniors would be able to freely express their concerns and symptoms to their caregivers, who in turn could help provide motivation and support to the older adults.  

There could also be regular dental camps conducted in community centres to screen older adults.

With these interventions at the grassroots level, more seniors will understand the importance of their oral health and regular dental visits.

Sneha Sundar Rajan