Geriatric Oral Health Access Program (GOHAP)

The landmark Report of the Surgeon General on “Oral Health in America”, expert opinion and current literature all confirm there is a widespread, unmet need for dental care among the elderly population. As the population ages this problem will continue to grow and multiply.

Access to proper oral health care is more profound for seniors residing within a long-term care facility. According to the Surgeon General’s report, “nursing homes and other long-term care institutions have limited capacity to deliver needed oral health services to their residents, most of who are at increased risk for oral diseases.” In long-term care facilities, the absence of a comprehensive oral assessment upon intake and at regular intervals prevents the proper identification of dental disease, therefore creating a barrier to appropriate care. Currently, oral health assessments on the elderly and disabled residing in skilled nursing facilities are generally completed by nursing staff that lack the necessary dental training to do so.  

The CDA Foundation has embarked on a pilot project in partnership with the San Mateo County Dental Society and California Dental Hygienists’ Association to develop solutions to complex issues confronting seniors in long-term care facilities. The Geriatric Oral Health Access Project has been designed to develop and test an innovative model of care, quantify the effects of a personalized oral health regimen, and compile data to assess improvements in access to oral health care using this model.

The Geriatric Oral Health Access Program will bring Registered Dental Hygienists in Alternative Practice (RDHAPs) into a long-term care facility in San Mateo County to partner with the facility dentist in performing oral health assessments of the residents, develop oral health treatment plans, and delivery of appropriate hygiene protocols. To help the residents comply with their personalized oral health regimen, the facility staff will be educated on proper oral health care ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to support the implementation of the oral health treatment plan. Each of the resident’s oral health status will be monitored and evaluated and the lessons learned from this project will be valuable in potentially duplicating this effort in other facilities as well as to support future legislative efforts.

For more information about the Geriatric Oral Health Access Program please contact the Program Administrator at 800.232.7645 ext. 4921.

The Geriatric Oral Health Access Program is generously funded by The San Francisco Foundation, American Dental Association Foundation and Mills-Peninsula Health Services.

Contribute to GOHAP.