29
Volume1 Issue1
|
I
ssues and
P
eople
Oral health is a contributory factor to general well-being
and quality of life.TheCanadianHealthMeasures Survey
between March 2007 and February 2009, documented
the oral problems that elderly people experience. This age
group faces inequity in oral health care (especially in a fee-
for-servicesystem)andtheagingoftheCanadianpopulation
will exacerbate theproblemof inequity.This article, thefirst
of a 3-part series, discusses the impact of poor oral health
on elderly people.The second articlewill consider inequity
in terms of the financial, behavioural and physical barriers
within the Canadian health care system, as well as ethical
considerations related to this inequity, and the third will
providesuggestionstoovercomethebarriers.
The mouth is the gateway to the body; hence, good oral health is an
integral part of general well-being and a contributory factor to quality of
life.
1
According to Statistics Canada, the life expectancy for Canadianmen
and women is 79 years and 84 years, respectively.
2
Although there is no
universal definition of old age, an adult 65 years or older is considered a
senior citizenorelderlyperson inCanada.
2
More than80%ofelderlypeople
have chronic health conditions, including arthritis, cataracts, back pain,
cardiovascular disorders and diabetes mellitus.
3
These conditions typically
worsenwith advancing age, eventually restrictingdaily activities, including
oral hygiene activities and regular access to dental care.
4
As a result, even
thoughutilizationofmedical services riseswith increasingage, theopposite
occurs with dental services.
5
In particular, elderly people face inequity in
oral health care, especially within a fee-for-service system.
6-8
Although all
permanent residents inCanadahaveprepaidaccess toageneralhealthcare
plan administeredby a provincial or territorial government,
9
the legislation
for theseplansdoesnot coverdental services.
10
This3-partseriesofarticlesaddresses the inequities facedbyelderlypatients
in a fee-for-service environment for dental services. This first article of the
series describes the oral health status of older Canadians, on the basis of
findings from a recent health survey, and notes the implications of oral
health for general well-being. The second article will briefly discuss the
publicandprivateoralhealthcareplansavailable inCanadaandwillexplore
the inequity in care experienced by elderly people and related ethical
considerations. The thirdarticlewill offer suggestions for reducing this form
of inequityand improvingaccess todental careamongelderlypeople.
The authors have no
declared financial
interests.
This article has been
peer reviewed.
ChaoShuYao
BDS,MDSProstho
Dr. Yao is a former
visiting scholar in the
faculty of dentistry
at theUniversity of
BritishColumbia,
Vancouver, BC.
She is currently in
private practice as
a prosthodontist in
Singapore.
Michael I.
MacEntee
LDS(I),FRDC(c),Dip
Prosth.(MUSC),PhD
Dr.MacEntee
is a professor of
prosthodontics and
dental geriatrics
in the faculty of
dentistry at the
University of
BritishColumbia,
Vancouver, BC.
