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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 operations or gain employment in aged care through a range of resources, workshops, marketing and business development support.
Ongoing CPD for aged care will also be provided to ensure that chapter members are kept up to date with any clinical and system developments within the Australian aged care setting.
The chapter and education program will commence in July 2021, and DHAA members are urged to join the Aged Care Chapter when renewing their DHAA membership for 2021-2022.
Registering for the aged care education program will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills in dealing with the Australian aged care sector and understanding the special needs of older patients.
The education program has the generous support of many passionate and prominent leaders within the sector. These include Associate Professors Janet Wallace, Dr Mark Wotherspoon, Sarah Griffiths, Neuropsychiatrist Dr Samantha Loi, Speech Pathologist Jenni-Lee Rees, Dietitian Chris Hughes, Pharmacist Jodie Cotte. They have been working tirelessly with our hygienists and oral health therapists team Ali Taylor, Karen Smart, Shida Taheri, Lisa Bryan, Linda van Adrighem and supported by many others behind the scenes in putting the education program together.
Further information is available on the DHAA website – dhaa.info
