Oral diseases and their sequelae may be effectively managed by regular professional and good daily care for most population groups. Nonetheless, older adults face numerous challenges in receiving both preventive and treatment services. While access to oral health care may be less of a hurdle among institutionalized seniors, cognitive and medical declines, coupled with an oral health care workforce untrained to deal with these complex needs constitute major barriers to receipt of oral care services. Among community dwelling older adults, public payor systems, transportation difficulties, and inability to navigate the healthcare system may complicate both professional and personal oral care. The increasing diversity of US seniors further confounds the picture, as health-related practices are informed by culture and social norms in older adult and their caregivers.

In this module you will have the opportunity to:

1. Familiarize yourself with with the older adult population, their oral health status and the special considerations needed to effectively care for them throughout various life stages.
2. Explore alternative careers in dentistry and in delivery systems that serve older adults in the US.

Associate Professor of Clinical Dentistry
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

The focus of Dr. Ahluwalia’s research is aging and integration of oral health into existing systems that target older adults. She started working in this area when she was a dental public health resident and has been doing it for 17 years.