So you want to be a public health dental hygienist? making a difference serving seniors

Intro: Evidence demonstrates that a healthy mouth is linked to over health and wellness. Unfortunately, there are significant unmet oral health needs among seniors in Massachusetts. Even seniors with no natural teeth have oral health needs. Problem: Residing in a long-term care facility can be a barrier to accessing regular professional, dental care due to the senior's inability to get out to a dental facility and the limited number of dental professionals that offer dental care within these facilities. While these magnify the challenges of receiving routine, as well as emergency dental care as someone ages, this also highlights the importance of educating physicians and nursing staff and families on the importance of oral health to systemic health, the etiology of oral disease and techniques to effectively clean the mouth and teeth. It also highlights the importance of dental professionals becoming part of the interdisciplinary team of health professionals serving this population. Solution: Recently, a new category of dental professional was instituted in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The public health dental hygienist (PHDH) may provide preventive dental services to high-risk populations without the supervision of a dentist; to reduce disparities and improve direct access to preventive care to those at highest-risk for dental disease. Conclusion: This video highlights the importance of oral health not only for chewing food and proper nutrition, but to assist in speaking, social interactions and self-esteem, as well as for systemic health. While medical and nursing staff lacks knowledge and time to provide oral health care, jeopardizing the dental health of this vulnerable population. This video promotes the public health dental hygienist as a resource and direct clinical provider settings serving seniors to increase access and reduce disparities.