| Seq #89 | Thursday, 29 June 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1:30 PM-3:30 PM Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre Great Hall 1, Symposium - Group/Division Sponsored | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Is Dental Research Meeting the Oral Health Challenges of the World’s Aging Population? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sponsored by: Geriatric Oral Research, Nutrition, Prosthodontics Research | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description: In 2005 the WHO published a paper outlining their priorities for oral health among the world’s older people. (CDOE. 2005 33:81-92). This symposium addresses the key research questions raised by that paper. Older people have to cope with current disease, but perhaps more importantly they also have to deal with the consequences of a lifetime of dental care. Specifically, tooth loss can result in a loss of function with the potential for impacts on nutrition. In the context of the developed world, the impacts are known, but there are liable to be consequences for health in any community Quality of life is a complex construct. For older people the impact of the condition of the mouth and of dental care on life quality is an important outcome. Understanding the role of the mouth and teeth in quality of life and the role of the mouth in relation to other health issues will have cultural dimensions that will dictate how we think about health interventions or priorities in different communities. Older people are at additional risk of some dental diseases. Treatment is expensive and in many circumstances impractical. Simple preventive strategies and cost-effective management can make a big difference. There is some published data but most is derived from trials in the developed world, but there are gaps in our knowledge. Oral mucosal disease, and specifically malignancy, is a very serious concern in some parts of the world. Part of any dental preventive program should be to minimise the risk of disease or to try to intervene early to prevent progression. The risks vary from community to community and different strategies may apply in different communities. We invite researchers from other disciplines to contribute to this debate, and recognise the shared opportunities that arise | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chairperson: A. WALLS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Back to the IADR General Session & Exhibition (June 28 – July 1, 2006)