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The first program of its kind in Canada, the service will promote healthy dental hygiene for long-term care residents, treat simple and complex dental care issues, educate staff and resident on daily oral hygiene and conduct research into geriatric dentistry. Proper dental care and oral health is often overlooked in the elderly, especially those who live in long-term residential care. The problem is compounded because most dentists are not equipped or trained to deal with the cognitive and physical impairments of the frail elderly. “Oral health treatment and preventative services are crucial to the quality of life of those in residential care,” said Chris Wyatt, Program Leader for the Geriatric Dentistry Service. “The Geriatric Dental Service with its leadership in oral care, education and research, will benefit residents of Providence Health Care long-term care facilities and the greater community.” The Geriatric Dentistry Service was developed in response to a needs assessment sponsored by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority two years ago. The needs assessment confirmed that many residents of Providence Health Care's seven long-term care facilities had oral health problems—a situation believed common in long-term care facilities across the country. The Geriatric Dental Service will bring preventative oral health services and treatment to all of Providence's 850 long-term care residents, either at the bedside, in UBC's Specialty Clinic or under general anesthetic at St. Vincent's Hospital. The Faculty of Dentistry will act as the “hub” of the program - the main clinic where the dental team will be organized. Also under the program, dental residents and undergraduate students will be trained at UBC's Faculty of Dentistry and onsite at PHC, while the UBC ELDERS Group conducts related research. The service will also promote daily oral hygiene to residential staff, seniors and the community through education. Providence Health Care facilities taking part in the program are Holy Family Hospital, Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospitals (Heather, Langara, Brock Fahrni and Arbutus) and Youville Residence. Providence also operates St. Paul's Hospital. The Geriatric Dentistry Service is made possible with support from the St. Vincent's Hospital Foundation and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. St. Vincent's Hospital Foundation |
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