Geriatric Oral Health and COVID-19: Old Problems, New Challenges: Issues and Research Opportunities

Описание: Join the Oral Health Interest Group of The Gerontological Society of America for a pair of information-packed GSA Momentum Discussions exploring the challenges of providing oral health care to older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging solutions with the potential to change practice forever.

Older adults have faced problems with access and affordability of essential oral health care for years. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened this already-bad situation as well as created new problems. Creative strategies and resources are needed to help older adults realize the importance of oral health to their overall health and help them feel comfortable when they need preventive or restorative oral care. Innovations with teledentistry can help triage potential problems in long-term care facilities and in some cases enable treatment in an environment that is safe and reassuring for the patient.

GSA’s Oral Health Workgroup has assembled a distinguished team of experts to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the oral health of older adults. In these Momentum Discussions, panelists will engage participants on how the interprofessional health care team can help older adults and care partners address geriatric oral health issues in the community and long-term care facilities, additional research opportunities that may emerge post-COVID-19, and real-world innovations for improving oral health care for older adults in the COVID-19 era and beyond.