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Aged care: Together we will make a difference Introducing the DHAA Aged Care Chapter – an ambitious challenge for the oral health profession in our country By Bill Suen
THE DHAA HAS taken on an enormous challenge to improve the oral health of older Australians. The Board has set an ambitious strategic goal of getting half of Australian residential aged care facilities to be serviced by a dental hygienist or oral health therapist by 2026, and 80% by 2031. To achieve these targets, an aged care chapter has been established within
the Association to develop a national approach to the practice of oral health care for older Australians. It promotes and seeks recognition for improving and supporting oral health in aged care and the provision of value-added, professional oral health services. Members of the DHAA Aged Care Chapter will demonstrate competence in oral health care to older patients. Up-to-date and relevant professional knowledge will be provided through the Chapter’s education program that covers a range of critical competences including: • Physiological changes in the oral cavity and associated systems with ageing • Behavioural changes and mental health of older people • Chronic diseases associated with
ageing and the impact and association to oral health • Pharmacological updates for older people • Speech and nutrition for older people • Denture and implant maintenance and assessment • Commonwealth and State health services for older people and their referral pathways • Informed consent, privacy and relevant legislative requirements in aged care In recognition that many DHAA members are clinicians – and therefore may have limited business skills – the DHAA will help Aged Care Chapter members to establish viable
