Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation Supports Senior Smiles

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hospital nurse supports senior citizen and her oral health while making hospital rounds

At Delta Dental of Arizona our mission is to improve lives by promoting optimal oral health for all Arizonans. From teaching toddlers how to brush their baby teeth to connecting pregnant women and seniors to low-cost preventive screenings and cleanings, we make it our goal to help provide access to oral health care at every stage in life.

This is because tooth decay affects people of all ages. Not only is tooth decay the most common chronic disease during childhood, but it impacts adults and seniors alike. According to the CDC nearly all adults aged 65 or older have had at least one cavity and one in five have untreated tooth decay.

Older Adults and Oral Health

But cavities and tooth decay aren’t the only oral health issues seniors and older adults face. As we age, we become more vulnerable to age-related health conditions that have symptoms in the mouth. Cells renew at slower rates, tissues become thinner, bones become less dense and strong, and certain medications can cause dry mouth. Dental decay caused by dry mouth can lead to tooth loss, denture sores and eating difficulties. Consider the following:

  • Nearly 1 in 5 adults aged 65 or older have lost all their teeth
  • 68% of adults aged 65 or older have gum disease
  • Cancers of the mouth are primarily diagnosed in older adults
  • Missing teeth or poor fitting dentures can affect proper nutrition

Seniors in our community with the poorest oral health tend to face extra hurdles that make caring for their mouths difficult. Income inequality, lack of insurance, and disabilities increase the risk of poor oral health for older adults. For vulnerable seniors in our community, it’s important that we address their unique oral health problems with resources that increase access to preventive care and treatment.

HOPE Program

Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation recently partnered with Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix to address oral health disparities affecting older adults across Arizona. The new Hospital Oral Care and Periodontal Disease Education (HOPE) program will provide a minimum of twice-daily oral health protocols to hospital patients aged 65 and older and adults with disabilities.

Clinical staff will work with patients ensure they brush their teeth twice a day and brush the teeth of patients who are unable to brush themselves, such as patients with muscular diseases or ventilated patients. This $330,000 grant will also support an oral health navigator to educate and support patients across hospital units and collaborate with case managers and social workers to identify barriers to care and connect high-risk patients with dental services and oral healthcare. This unique program doesn’t just provide immediate oral health education and care, it is implementing new protocols across the hospital system by:

  • Establishing an oral health standard of care in geriatric medicine which will then be implemented across all of Banner’s Arizona hospitals
  • Providing oral health training for nurses and other medical providers
  • Forming an oral-health patient assistance fund to support patients needing financial assistance in order to access dental care

Medical-dental partnerships with nonprofit organizations like Banner help increase the overall health of senior citizens by stressing the importance of oral health care in medical care. Delta Dental of Arizona pledges to continue working to improve overall oral health and access to care for the senior population across the state.

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Barb Kozuh
Barb Kozuh is the executive director of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation. She and her team work to make a positive impact to improve the health and wellness of the underserved and under-represented people across Arizona. The foundation focuses on funding oral health and food insecurity programs through medical-dental integration programs, screening/fluoride varnish programs, oral health education programs, plus a variety of food banks, after-school and weekend programs that provide food to those in need. Barb was inspired by the dedication, patience and kind-heartedness of her childhood family dentist in Joliet, IL and wanted to make others feel good about their smiles by becoming a dentist. However, after graduating from Arizona State University with a business degree, she was lured into the non-profit sports industry where she was able to both fulfill her need to help others and satisfy her love of sports. Barb has served as executive director of Chicago White Sox Charities, the Frank Thomas Charitable Foundation and Phoenix Coyotes Charities. In addition, Barb has worked in marketing, advertising and public relations for a number of firms in Chicago. Barb serves on the Delta Dental Institute advisory council, board of the Corporate Volunteer Council and is a member of the Arizona Oral Health Coalition.