A healthy, beautiful smile can make anyone look and feel better, and keeping up with best dental hygiene practices is an important part of healthy aging. Good dental health not only protects against gum disease, gum inflammation, and tooth loss, but also can protect against many other age-related diseases.1 In addition, people over 65 are more susceptible to oral cancer, and studies show a strong correlation between dental health and overall health in this age group.2
Unfortunately, the path to continued oral health for seniors isn’t always easy, as potential physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments associated with aging may make home oral health care and patient education/communications challenging.3 Also, 65% of Medicare beneficiaries lack dental coverage.2 Thankfully though, the road to good oral health for seniors in Connecticut is paved not in gold, but even better, in “silver.”
SilverSource in Stamford, Connecticut, meets the oral health needs of their senior communities through their Elder Dental Care Program. Supporting the treatment of low-income seniors, SilverSource provides a safety net for seniors when they have nowhere else to turn for dental care.
Here at Delta Dental of Connecticut, we want to help keep your smiles healthy for a lifetime. And this year, the Delta Dental Foundation awarded a 2022 SMILE Mini Grant of $10,000 to SilverSource in support of their Elder Dental Care Program. We recently spoke with Marianne Delaney, Chief Development Officer, to gain more insights on how their inspiring program supports dental care and overall health for seniors in Connecticut.
What is the SilverSource purpose and mission?
Marianne: Our purpose is to provide a safety net for seniors in need; to keep a roof over their heads, with the heat and lights on, food on the table, and the medical/dental care they need. Our mission advances the dignity, independence, and quality of life of older adults by providing supportive services to those in need and guidance to families, and by engaging in community partnerships and advocating for sound public policies.
What are some barriers seniors face in receiving timely dental care in the communities you serve?
Marianne: Cost is a significant barrier to receiving dental care for the low-income older adults we serve. By funding dental care for seniors in need, Delta Dental’s support for the SilverSource Elderly Dental Care program helps reduce the disparities in access to dental care for struggling seniors.
Most Medicare beneficiaries do not have dental coverage, and many go without care because they cannot afford it. Rates of going without care are even higher among those who are low-income, in poor health, disabled, and/or are Black or Hispanic. Unfortunately, dental procedures, dental lab fees, and prescription medications are typically not covered by Medicare, and are very expensive.
Assisting low-income older adults with the high costs of dental care preserves their very limited incomes for basic needs such as food, rent, and utilities. They may then also avoid the negative outcomes of tooth loss which have a significant impact on older residents’ quality of life, affecting nutrition and the ability to eat solid food, speech, and self-esteem, and leading to poor health and higher levels of social isolation. Access to routine dental care also reduces dental-related emergency department visits by older adults who are unable to afford regular dental care.
Transportation is another barrier older income adults face when receiving dental care. The need for transportation to dental and medical appointments is an important priority for seniors, and the lack of it can also present a significant barrier to accessing care. The SilverSource “Ride to Wellness” program provides free rides to all medical/dental appointments for seniors in Stamford—including those using wheelchairs—thus directly addressing and eliminating this barrier for clients.
Also, overall health is impacted by a lack of dental care and can lead to delayed diagnosis of serious health conditions and long-term complications such as periodontal disease. Long-term chronic diseases can exacerbate and complicate the health outcomes of those not receiving dental care. For instance, poor blood sugar levels put seniors at higher risk for oral health problems such as inflammation and gum disease—serious long-term conditions which in turn increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Use of some medications, as well as common chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, also increase the risks of tooth loss in older adults.
Given the significant long-term health risks associated with poor oral care and the consequences of untreated dental issues, providing access to dental care for low-income older adults has a significant impact on their short-term and long-term health and quality of life.
How many seniors does your Elder Dental Care Program program serve annually?
Marianne: We serve 30 seniors annually.
Which age range and geographic areas of CT does your program apply to?
Marianne: The age range we serve is 60+, with 97% of our clients living in Stamford CT and surrounding towns, and 3% live in Fairfield County, CT.
Whom can a senior contact for more information about your Elder Dental Care Program?
Marianne: Members of the Social Work Team, SilverSource
(203) 324-6584; https://silversource.org/
Since 1986, our philanthropic arm, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, Inc., has worked to promote and assist educational projects devoted to the enhancement of dental health, as well as access to dental care programs designed to increase public awareness of the general benefits of good oral health and to improve dental health through the science of dentistry. The mission of the Foundation is to improve the oral health of New Jersey and Connecticut residents by providing charitable contributions to solve oral health care challenges. Each year, the Foundation provides financial support to various organizations throughout New Jersey and Connecticut to reach underserved populations, specifically children, developmentally disabled persons, seniors, and veterans.
At Delta Dental, we believe that everyone deserves a healthy smile.
1https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-seniors-guide-to-dental-care
3https://www.deltadental.com/us/en/product/senior-dental-insurance.html
