Thursday, April 20, 2006
Orlando, FL (AHN) - A survey on seniors' access to dental care was conducted by researchers at the University at Buffalo and Buffalo State College presented a clenching picture of the dental needs to the oldest in the communities.
Researchers found that only 11 percent of 273 respondents had dental insurance policy. And more than half (52 percent) of that number were listed financial need as the greatest barrier to receiving dental insurance.
Kimberly Zittel-Palamara, M.S.W., Ph.D., says, "Little is known about the dental-care needs of urban-versus-rural-dwelling seniors in this part of New York State," said Zittel-Palamara. ".
She continues, "Our study showed similar findings in Western New York. Programs designed to improve access to dental care need to be sensitive to regional differences."
Results showed that 1 in 3 respondents rated access to the dental care "fair-to-poor." Nearly three-fourths -- 71 percent -- of urban dwellers were indicated they had seen a dentist within past year, compared to 58 percent of rural dwellers. Twenty percent of the rural dwellers and 15 percent of urban dwellers had not seen a dentist for six or more years.
Zittel-Palamara says the ultimate goal of the study is to encourage the dentists to integrate social workers and other disciplines into their practices to help senior patients obtain better access to dental care.
Researchers found that only 11 percent of 273 respondents had dental insurance policy. And more than half (52 percent) of that number were listed financial need as the greatest barrier to receiving dental insurance.
Kimberly Zittel-Palamara, M.S.W., Ph.D., says, "Little is known about the dental-care needs of urban-versus-rural-dwelling seniors in this part of New York State," said Zittel-Palamara. ".
She continues, "Our study showed similar findings in Western New York. Programs designed to improve access to dental care need to be sensitive to regional differences."
Results showed that 1 in 3 respondents rated access to the dental care "fair-to-poor." Nearly three-fourths -- 71 percent -- of urban dwellers were indicated they had seen a dentist within past year, compared to 58 percent of rural dwellers. Twenty percent of the rural dwellers and 15 percent of urban dwellers had not seen a dentist for six or more years.
Zittel-Palamara says the ultimate goal of the study is to encourage the dentists to integrate social workers and other disciplines into their practices to help senior patients obtain better access to dental care.
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