geriatrics proceedings
C D A J O U R N A L , V O L 4 9 , Nº 8
Proceedings From the California Dental Association Symposium on Geriatrics and Oral Health Elisa M. Chávez, DDS; Michelle Brady, DDS; and Paul Subar, DDS, EdD
abstract The California Dental Association and the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry convened a gathering of experts and stakeholders to conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis with regard to oral health needs, dental education and workforce, financial and reimbursement structures and legislative opportunities as they relate to improving oral health for older Californians. The consensus was that change must begin in dental education, with relevant and innovative clinical experiences in geriatric care, including interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional practice (IPP) with appropriately trained faculty. Incentives for faculty and professional development are needed to develop role models who can appropriately manage the diverse and unique oral health care needs of older adults as part of an interprofessional team. Value-based care and novel dental benefit and reimbursement mechanisms are needed to support many older Californians who are lacking financial resources for care. Innovation in care delivery models to meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable and removed from opportunities for care are also needed to improve access to care and health outcomes across California. The entire health care team must be engaged. Oral health care must be perceived and practiced as an integral component of primary health care to achieve optimal health outcomes.
AUTHORS Elisa M. Chávez, DDS, is a professor in the department of diagnostic sciences and the director of the Pacific Center for Equity in Oral Health Care at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. She is a fellow of the American College of Dentists. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported. Michelle Brady, DDS, is an assistant professor in the department of diagnostic sciences and the coordinator for interprofessional education
at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported. Paul Subar, DDS, EdD, is a professor and the chair of the department of diagnostic sciences and the director of the Special Care Clinic/Hospital Dentistry Program at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. He is a fellow of the American College of Dentists. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported.
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n Oct. 18, 2019, the California Dental Association and the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry gathered experts and stakeholders to discuss past, current and future issues related to the oral health of older Californians. They conducted a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of oral health needs, dental education and workforce issues, financial and reimbursement structures and legislative opportunities as they stand in California. Since the onset of COVID-19, many of these issues have become even more pronounced.
The pandemic has delayed routine oral health care for a full year for millions of older adults across the state, many of whom already suffered from untreated oral diseases.1 The impact on patients, dental education and the practice of dentistry will continue well into the future even as vaccines become more widely distributed. Profound impacts on already strained resources and access to oral health care for older adults are imminent.2 Dental academicians, private dental practitioners, public health officials, patient advocacy groups, insurance providers, health plans, organized dentistry and legislators participated in the full-day event to discuss, debate and illuminate the AUGUST 2 0 2 1
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