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Taking Action to Improve the Oral Health of Nova Scotia Seniors

Taking Action to Improve the Oral Health of Nova Scotia Seniors. Sandra Crowell , MPA Mary McNally, DDS, MA* Renée Lyons, PhD Pamela Magee, MA Elizabeth Tait, BSc Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre *Faculty of Dentistry Dalhousie University CPHA Conference, St. John’s NL

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Taking Action to Improve the Oral Health of Nova Scotia Seniors

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  1. Taking Action to Improve the Oral Health of Nova Scotia Seniors Sandra Crowell, MPA Mary McNally, DDS, MA* Renée Lyons, PhD Pamela Magee, MA Elizabeth Tait, BSc Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre *Faculty of Dentistry Dalhousie University CPHA Conference, St. John’s NL June 15, 2004

  2. PURPOSE • To determine the strategies needed to • develop an oral health action plan that will • achieve continuity of oral health care for • seniors in NS and elsewhere.

  3. WHY SENIORS ORAL HEALTH? • Oral health impacts overall health and QOL • Fastest growing segment of the population • More seniors are retaining their teeth • No policies and practices for managing seniors’ oral health care

  4. PARTNERS • AHPRC Dalhousie University • Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University • School of Dental Hygiene, Dalhousie University • Nova Scotia Dental Hygienists Association • Nova Scotia Dental Association • Northwoodcare Inc. • Nova Scotia Senior Citizen’s Secretariat • Nova Scotia Department of Health • Manulife Financial

  5. PROJECT PHASES • Phase IHealth Services Evaluation • Phase II Promising Practices Scan • Phase III Oral Health Policy Forum • Phase IV Dissemination

  6. PHASE III ORAL HEALTH POLICY FORUMWorking Together to Improve the Oral Health of Seniors: Developing an Action Plan for Nova Scotia” • Goal: to prioritize areas for action on seniors oral health • Story telling approach to share findings • Small working groups

  7. KEY FINDINGS • Many sectors are affected by findings • Governments, seniors, insurance, long-term care, education, research, dentistry, health professionals • Collaboration is necessary

  8. FINDINGS Oral health is a critical component of overall health and quality of life. “I think there is a kind of general perception among people that they need medical care from cradle to grave but it would appear that people don’t understand how important dental and oral health is from cradle to grave”

  9. FINDINGS • No provincial or federal responsibility • Lack of accessible services • Cost is a barrier • Lack of research data • Lack of education

  10. WHAT DO WE NEED? • Innovation in service delivery • Creative financial solutions • More research • Education/training opportunities • To raise awareness

  11. WHAT NEXT? ACTION PLAN • 7 working groups established: • OHS Collaboration Steering Committee • Program Delivery • Research • Policy Development • Public Awareness • Education for Dental Students, Professionals • Education for Non-Dental Care Providers

  12. STEERING COMMITTEE • Representatives from: • Seniors, dental and health professions, researchers, educators, health promoters, NGO’s, government, etc. • Funding request

  13. CONCLUSION • Thank you to our funders: • Canadian Health Services Research Foundation • NS Health Research Foundation • Drummond Foundation • Manulife Financial • Dentistry Canada Fund • NS Dental Association

  14. CONTACT INFORMATION Sandra Crowell Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre Dalhousie University Tel: (902) 494-2880 Sandra.crowell@dal.ca http://www.ahprc.dal.ca/oralhealth/Index.htm

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