So much of what goes on with a person’s medical care happens in a less-than-visible fashion — within the intimate confines of the mouth, and the need for thorough oral health. While cavities, loose teeth or bleeding gums can be easily spotted, conditions such as mouth sores and patches on the tongue are too easily hidden, especially to older adults.
With the goal of helping seniors to live life independently by aging in place with a sense of community as a guiding spirit behind their comprehensive physical, mental, and emotional support, InnovAge makes dentistry services and oral health concerns an integral part of its Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly in house, at its many centers in the Delaware Valley.
“What we do here at InnovAge is provide a balanced health perspective for our participants,” said Dr. Diane Earle, InnovAge’s VP of Dental Care Services. “Along with their healthcare and social services, we offer dental services in our centers. When PACE participants come into our centers, they’re eligible to receive all medically necessary dental care.”
Earle sees all levels of dental care and oral health issues among InnovAge participants. “Because of various circumstances, many of them have not had access to dental care in the recent past. That means they might have cumulative dental health needs. Oftentimes, their dental health is in poor condition… and are coming to us with things like cavities and periodontal disease. The latter is particularly worrying as there is a correlation there with diabetes.”
It is important to note that, along with diabetes, unattended dental issues can lead to systemic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Following enrollment, InnovAge participants are asked about a history of dental issues, and whether they sense pain or swelling or have missing teeth or cavities. If there are oral health issues, they are handled by the staff’s dental practitioners, along with making sure even the simplest dental needs are taken care of.
“We have a routine, daily dental program that we put into place after our initial comprehensive oral exam,” said Earle. “InnovAge’s dental team will take x-rays and look at a participant’s oral tissue to check for disease or missing teeth. Clinicians will do their cleaning and will make a diagnosis, and decide on any necessary treatment or replacements.”
Considering that InnovAge’s participants are proactively involved with their own care, the dental team will encourage older adults with “friendly tips on how to best care for their teeth in-between dental appoints,” noted Earle. “This includes brushing and flossing their teeth everyday – two times a day is preferable – to use a fluoride toothpaste, and rinse with a mouthwash that helps remove loose plaque and dental debris. “InnovAge specializes in customized healthcare services and social engagement, but everyone needs these gentle reminders, not just our participants.”
Sponsored content produced in partnership with InnovAge
