Taking dentistry to the geriatric patient: a home visit model.

Abstract

Frail, medically complex elders comprise an increasing dentally underserved population. The "demographic imperative" clearly shows that the number of elders is growing-from a current estimate of 40 million to a projection of 87 million in 2050. Oral health is a critical component of overall health and is increasingly recognized as critical to quality of life. This article describes a program to deliver oral health care services to homebound elders in the Greater Boston area through the collaboration of the geriatric dentistry and geriatric medicine fellowship programs at Boston University. The article reports on data collected between 2005 and 2007 on the demographics, needs, and services provided to a sample of 195 patients visited in their homes. Also identified are the types of third-party coverage reported for the patients and the implications for source of payment for dental services for the elderly in the future.