Older Americans Oral Health Report Card
Senate Aging Committee Examines
Ageism in Dental Care

The oral health of older Americans is in a state of decay, according to a national report card released September 22,2003 by the advocacy group Oral Health America before a forum of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.

The group, examining a variety of ways older Americans have access to key dental services, gave failing or near failing grades to each state in all categories and gave the nation an overall D grade.

"Dental care for our nation's seniors remains in a state of decay," said Robert Klaus, President of Oral Health America. "Too many older Americans suffer in silence as their oral health and periodontal needs are neglected. They deserve better and we need to do more," he said.

"Poor oral health care causes millions of vulnerable seniors to suffer needlessly," said Sen. John Breaux (D-LA), ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee.

"Too often, these problems are underestimated, ignored or not detected until far too late, resulting in serious disease and even death. We must make oral health care a priority in helping care for our nation's seniors."

"I see seniors every day trying live with infection and pain that could have been easily avoided with proper care," said Dr. Gregory Folse, a leading expert in geriatric dentistry and board member of Special Care Dentistry, who assisted in putting together the report and who testified before the committee.

"Every state is capable of earning an A if they commit to caring for the oral health needs of vulnerable older Americans."

Ohio received the following grades:

• Older Adult Private Dental Coverage - D
• Level of Adult Dental Medicaid Coverage - B
• Medicaid Service Reimbursement Rates (all categories) - F
• Adult Dental Medicaid Final - D+
• Older Adult Dental Coverage Final - D+