Dental needs of the elderly

The COTA Over 50s (Council on the Ageing) and the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA) have called on the Government and Opposition to ensure that their health policies meet the dental needs of Australians over 65.

COTA and the ADIA presented new research showing that the Government and community could save $42 million per year on dental and costs associated with related ill-health if it extended the dental entitlements of the Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card holders to all Aged Pension Card holders over 65. Executive Director of COTA, Dr Geoff Bird, said that elderly Australians show double the rates of periodontal disease of younger people and have a higher total health treatment bill to respond to illnesses caused by oral ill-health. According to research by the economic modeler Econtech commissioned by COTA and the ADIA, elderly Australians suffering from periodontal illness and consequently at risk of other disease would save $3,730 per year if improved dental care led to a permanent improvement in dental health.

ADIA President Pam Clark said "Many older Australians have limited access to dental services due to cost and the almost total lack of services for those in residential aged care. This report shows that there is a net social benefit in funding better access to dental care," Ms Clarke said. The report found that the cost of providing adequate dental care to the over 65s was $672 million per year but the total of savings to the Government and individuals through lower spending on dental ill health and periodontal illness related disease was $714 million per year, a net social gain of $42 million annually.