Museum event focuses on oral health needs, news for older adults

Baltimore鈥擲tart with a dental history lesson, then add interesting information about the mouth/body connection, a review of the latest dental products for older adults and a packet of educational materials designed to help seniors enjoy good oral health for a lifetime and you’ve got “Your Marvelous Mouth: The New Frontier of Oral Longevity.”

The special day-long program was presented by the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry and the Elderhostel “A Day of Discovery” program last month.

Some 50 seniors were treated to a unique program filled with history, science, education and pop culture to help them enhance their oral health.

Participants also received the OralLongevity DVD and brochure education materials as part of the program. The OralLongevity initiative was launched in September 2007 by the ADA, the ADA Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare to help address the oral health care needs of the fastest-growing patient population group in their practices鈥攐lder adults.

This event is one of several outreach activities the OralLongevity initiative has planned this year to reach consumers and patients age 55 and older with oral health information targeted directly to their needs.

“The National Museum of Dentistry’s new Elderhostel program addressed issues that affect older Americans, such as how mouths change as we age, and how this change can alter utilization of dental services,” said Dr. Janet Yellowitz, director of geriatric dentistry at the University of Maryland Dental School.

“Options for care and ways to maintain your mouth for a lifetime were also discussed. ‘Your Marvelous Mouth’ supports the ADA’s Oral Longevity initiative to raise awareness of the importance of oral health through a lifetime.”

Participants received a guided tour of the museum tracing the history of dentistry from the ancient Egyptians to current scientific breakthroughs in bioengineering; a peek into the museum’s vault; a lecture on the mouth/body connection; a rundown of new oral care products designed to meet the needs of older adults; and a panel discussion with experts in dentistry, medicine and science about how advances are changing the face or oral health care.

Panelists included Barbara J. Smith, Ph.D., manager of geriatrics and special needs populations for the ADA; Sheryl L. Ernest Syme, associate professor, division of dental hygiene at UM Dental School; and Dr. Herb Inge, director, general practice residency, Baltimore Veteran’s Hospital.

“The National Museum of Dentistry is committed to educating the public about the importance of oral health in a healthy life,” said Rosemary Fetter, NMD executive director. “We are encouraged by the success of this new program and look forward to developing additional programs that will bring the 55-plus population important information about oral longevity to help change lives.”聽