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MELBOURNE, Australia: Older adults are a high-risk group for poor oral health. They are more prone to dental decay, periodontitis and oral cancer than younger patients are. However, a new web-based education programme, developed and trialled by researchers at the University of Melbourne, could help maintain healthy and natural teeth into older age. The researchers found that people who took part in the trial embraced the new technology and made positive changes to their dental care routines.
The online oral health education programme consists of a series of ten interactive tutorials, which are available free to the public. It was trialled with adults over the age of 55 from the City of Whittlesea, a municipal district in the outer northern suburbs of Melbourne, who completed the tutorials in libraries, community centres and at home.
At the completion of the trial, participants had increased their factual knowledge of oral health and diseases, and had improved their daily and weekly oral health care, the researchers said.
“The learning materials were developed by oral health experts after extensive consultation with older adults,” explained associate professor Rodrigo Mariňo. “So they specifically address oral health issues for older people, in a way that people can understand and act upon.”
The programme covers issues that are of particular concern for older adults, including decay of the roots, periodontitis, gingival recession, and dry mouth due to medications for health conditions such as hypertension . In addition, it provides information on accessing public dental health services.
The tutorials can be accessed at www.e-dentalez.com/sitio/oral-health-promotion/.
