Doctors see massive surge in senior hospitalisations due to this problem
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The golden years should be a time of comfort and enjoyment.
Yet, for many Australian seniors, health issues often cast a shadow over this period of life.
People's healthcare needs increase over time, yet treatment costs can be prohibitive and later on lead to neglect and severe consequences.
This has become a pressing issue, as recent data indicated a worrying trend among seniors: hospitalisations due to preventable dental conditions.
Vicki McKaig, a 71-year-old grandmother from Sydney, knows this struggle all too well.
After avoiding a dentist visit for two years because of the high costs, she has suffered from cavities and gum disease.
These diseases caused her intense pain and made it difficult even to enjoy food.
'Being a retired senior, you never have that much money to play around with, so my teeth weren't a priority,' Ms McKaig shared.
'When I had cold food, it was like a sharp pain, and I had to really stop eating.'
Later on, Ms McKaig's GP referred her to a trial dental scheme for seniors so she could get dental treatment for free.
This scheme not only restored her oral health but also saved her from a potential emergency hospital visit.
Unfortunately, Ms McKaig's story is not an isolated issue.
Between 2022 and 2023, nearly 16,000 Australians aged over 65 were hospitalised with dental issues that could have been prevented.
This number was a significant increase from about 10,500 cases in 2016 and 2017.
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) projected that this number could rise by 42 per cent come 2027 or 2028.
These statistics should be a stark reminder of the desperate need for accessible dental care, especially for seniors.
The ADA recognised the situation and called on the federal government to prioritise oral health, especially for older Australians.
The ADA also pushed for the establishment of the Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme (SDBS).
According to the ADA, this scheme could offer up to $1,132 of free dental treatment every two years to over two million eligible seniors.
The ADA believed that this scheme should encourage seniors to do more preventative check-ups.
Later on, preventative check-ups could lead to smaller, more manageable, and cost-effective treatments.
ADA president Dr Chris Sanzaro highlighted the inadequacy of current solutions for dental problems.
Seniors often receive antibiotics and painkillers for dental issues from GPs or hospital emergency departments.
'They're going to do the best they can to help those people, but GPs and emergency department doctors—try as they might—they're not dentists, and they can't provide definitive dental treatment,' Dr Sanzaro shared.
Dr Sanzaro's observations amplified the need for a comprehensive SDBS.
Recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and a separate Senate report also called for the establishment of the SDBS.
The cost of implementing the SDBS should go for about $1.14 billion in 2025-2026 and increase to $1.26 billion in 2026-2027.
While these figures seem high, the long-term benefits of improved dental health and reduced hospitalisations could offset the initial investment.
Dentist Mark Wotherspoon, who has witnessed the dire state of oral health in aged care facilities, asserted that the SDBS would have an immediate positive impact on seniors' quality of life.
Despite the clear need and the backing of dental professionals, the government has not yet committed to implementing the scheme.
Health Minister Mark Butler stated that while Medicare has a goal to cover dental costs, the program's immediate focus right now should be on rebuilding general practice.
The opposition and the Greens, who have long advocated for dental treatment to be included in Medicare, were contacted for comment.
While the Greens' policy is admirable, the ADA considers it financially unfeasible, with costs estimated at up to $13 billion.
Instead, the ADA suggested a targeted approach: to focus on vulnerable seniors who currently lack access to dental care.
For seniors like Adelaide pensioner Bill Henderson, who is waiting to afford necessary dental work, the establishment of an SDBS would be life-changing.
He, along with countless others, is calling for a system akin to 'Dentacare', where dental health is not a luxury but a right.
Have you faced similar challenges with your dental appointments? What are your thoughts on the proposed SDBS? We encourage our members to share their experiences in the comments section below and join the conversation on how we can advocate for better dental care for seniors.
Yet, for many Australian seniors, health issues often cast a shadow over this period of life.
People's healthcare needs increase over time, yet treatment costs can be prohibitive and later on lead to neglect and severe consequences.
This has become a pressing issue, as recent data indicated a worrying trend among seniors: hospitalisations due to preventable dental conditions.
Vicki McKaig, a 71-year-old grandmother from Sydney, knows this struggle all too well.
After avoiding a dentist visit for two years because of the high costs, she has suffered from cavities and gum disease.
These diseases caused her intense pain and made it difficult even to enjoy food.
Dentists saw an uptick in hospitalisations related to dental concerns. Image Credit: Pexels/Arda Kaykısız
'Being a retired senior, you never have that much money to play around with, so my teeth weren't a priority,' Ms McKaig shared.
'When I had cold food, it was like a sharp pain, and I had to really stop eating.'
Later on, Ms McKaig's GP referred her to a trial dental scheme for seniors so she could get dental treatment for free.
This scheme not only restored her oral health but also saved her from a potential emergency hospital visit.
Unfortunately, Ms McKaig's story is not an isolated issue.
Between 2022 and 2023, nearly 16,000 Australians aged over 65 were hospitalised with dental issues that could have been prevented.
This number was a significant increase from about 10,500 cases in 2016 and 2017.
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) projected that this number could rise by 42 per cent come 2027 or 2028.
These statistics should be a stark reminder of the desperate need for accessible dental care, especially for seniors.
The ADA recognised the situation and called on the federal government to prioritise oral health, especially for older Australians.
The ADA also pushed for the establishment of the Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme (SDBS).
According to the ADA, this scheme could offer up to $1,132 of free dental treatment every two years to over two million eligible seniors.
The ADA believed that this scheme should encourage seniors to do more preventative check-ups.
Later on, preventative check-ups could lead to smaller, more manageable, and cost-effective treatments.
ADA president Dr Chris Sanzaro highlighted the inadequacy of current solutions for dental problems.
Seniors often receive antibiotics and painkillers for dental issues from GPs or hospital emergency departments.
'They're going to do the best they can to help those people, but GPs and emergency department doctors—try as they might—they're not dentists, and they can't provide definitive dental treatment,' Dr Sanzaro shared.
Dr Sanzaro's observations amplified the need for a comprehensive SDBS.
Recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and a separate Senate report also called for the establishment of the SDBS.
The cost of implementing the SDBS should go for about $1.14 billion in 2025-2026 and increase to $1.26 billion in 2026-2027.
While these figures seem high, the long-term benefits of improved dental health and reduced hospitalisations could offset the initial investment.
Dentist Mark Wotherspoon, who has witnessed the dire state of oral health in aged care facilities, asserted that the SDBS would have an immediate positive impact on seniors' quality of life.
Despite the clear need and the backing of dental professionals, the government has not yet committed to implementing the scheme.
Health Minister Mark Butler stated that while Medicare has a goal to cover dental costs, the program's immediate focus right now should be on rebuilding general practice.
The opposition and the Greens, who have long advocated for dental treatment to be included in Medicare, were contacted for comment.
While the Greens' policy is admirable, the ADA considers it financially unfeasible, with costs estimated at up to $13 billion.
Instead, the ADA suggested a targeted approach: to focus on vulnerable seniors who currently lack access to dental care.
For seniors like Adelaide pensioner Bill Henderson, who is waiting to afford necessary dental work, the establishment of an SDBS would be life-changing.
He, along with countless others, is calling for a system akin to 'Dentacare', where dental health is not a luxury but a right.
