ORAL HEALTH STATUS AND PRACTICES AMONG ELDERLY IN COMMUNITY: THE ROLE OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES IN PREVENTIVE AND ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION

Abstract

Oral health is vital part of the overall health of the individuals. Oral health has an extensive affect in quality of life particularly in old age peoples. Comorbidities, age related changes and social factors are the main causes of the dental caries and other periodontal diseases e.g. tooth loss, infections and dysphagia in old age peoples. Apart from that elderly peoples also have limited access to preventive health care in public health settings. Public health nursing (PHNs) plays a vital role prevention and promotion of oral health in the community especially old age peoples. Public health nurse can play role in prevention and oral health promotion through different strategies including assessment of health status, health education, advocacy, and community campaigns. This paper describes present health status of the oral cavity and practices at community level in the old age peoples. It also synthesize an evidence based background for public health nurses that how public health nurses can play their role in prevention and promotion of oral health at community level particularly in old age peoples. This paper also recommend quality staff training, standard tools for oral health assessment, collaboration with other health care professionals, preventive programs at community level, advocacy and legislation to enhance quality of prevention and promotion of oral health in old age individuals at community level.