Articles/Research

• Dental as anything [31 Mar 2007]
  by Stephen Leeder and Amanda Dominello
  "...When the current federal government withdrew its contribution (up to $100 million per annum) to the Commonwealth Dental Health Program in 1997, a ministerial advisor said to one of us (SL), 'We were surprised how easy it was! We expected an outcry!'
  Of course, the Minister for Health operates in a political environment where he is faced with demands from cabinet to cut his budget. Either dental health or something else would have to go especially with new programs in rural health, immunisation and medical research demanding money. But yes, it was interesting just how easily this program was folded up. The constituency for teeth may have a weak bite, but recently its voice has become stronger..." read the full article
• Dental Care of the Aged [pdf: National Dental Update - Jan 2004]
  Australian Dental Association Inc.
• Oral Health Protocols for Residential Aged Care Facilities
  [pdf: developed by an Oral Health in Aged Care Working Group - S.A.]
• The Adelaide Dental Study of Nursing Homes - One-year Follow-up 1999
  [pdf: The University of Adelaide - Australian Research Centre for Populatiion Oral Health]
  This report presents oral epidemiological prevalence and incidence data from clinical dental inspections of existing and new residents from randomly selected Adelaide nursing homes.
  The findings reveal that residents, both existing and new, have poor oral health, indicating that older Australians are entering nursing homes with a compromised oral health status. However, incidence data highlight the rapid progression of oral diseases during residents' stay in nursing homes. [Jane Chalmers, Knute Carter, Chris Hodge, Janet Fuss, John Spencer]
• The Adelaide Dental Study of Nursing Homes 1998
  [pdf: The University of Adelaide - Australian Research Centre for Populatiion Oral Health]
  The Adelaide Dental Study of Nursing Homes 1998 presents, firstly, information obtained from questionnaires mailed to practising Adelaide dentists and Directors of Nursing from Adelaide nursing homes and, secondly, oral epidemiological prevalence data from clinical dental inspections of residents from randomly selected Adelaide nursing homes.
  The findings highlight the poor oral health status of many nursing home residents, and the numerous complex problems involved with the organisation and provision of dental treatment and oral hygiene care for this group of medically compromised, functionally dependent and cognitively impaired older Australians.  [Jane Chalmers, Knute Carter, Chris Hodge, Janet Fuss, John Spencer]

Related Articles:

• Study: dental plaque can be fatal to nursing home residents
  Scannapieco, Frank DMD, Ph.D. Professor and Chair, Department of Oral Biology
  The State University of New York
• Home page: Dental Statistics & Research Unit at The University of Adelaide
• Dentists say shortage 'a disaster in the making' [5 October 2006]
• Australian teeth worst in developed world [1 October 2006]
• Dental divide: federal govt blames states [23 September 2006]
• Public dental care - a major health problem [13 September 2006]
• Dental waiting list disgrace [7 August 2006]
• Dental health in decay
• An effective dental health scheme needs more than funds for fillings
• Report highlights oral health of Australia's nursing home residents
• Victorian Oral Health Alliance
• Oral Health Alliance: Oral health fact sheet