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Evaluation

Seminar - 60 Minutes

10,000 People Turn 65 Every Day: What Oral Health Policies Are Needed?

Monday, April 7, 2025
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Seminole E-D
Earn 1.0 CE Credit
Disclosure(s):
Samuel R. Zwetchkenbaum, DDS, MPH: No financial relationships to disclose
Lori K. Cofano, BSDH: No financial relationships to disclose
Deborah Jacobi, Policy Director: No financial relationships to disclose
Harry Goodman, DMD, MPH: No financial relationships to disclose
Session Description: The older adult population in the U.S. is growing rapidly as 10,000 people turn 65 each day. Over 67% of the older adult population is keeping enough of their teeth to eat and speak. However, this also puts them at risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Workforce, scope of practice, teledentistry regulations and finance, along with policies around long-term care, may be missing the mark to address these needs. An ASTDD Healthy Aging Committee (HAC) workgroup has created new policy recommendations to assist State Oral Health Programs and oral health coalitions in making evidence-based innovative policy proposals. How should these recommendations be implemented to improve the likelihood of older adults receiving dental services and address oral health needs.
This session will present the ASTDD policy recommendations and reactors will discuss how to put these into action from both a state and federal perspective.