The British Society of Gerodontology (BSG) has welcomed the publication of NHS England’s new Framework for Maintaining the Oral Health of Our Ageing Population, describing it as a step towards ensuring oral healthcare services are fit for the needs of a rapidly ageing nation. The framework sets out a prevention-focused, evidence-based approach to oral healthcare in later life, emphasising integration across dental, health and social care services rather than the creation of new services.
England’s population is ageing rapidly, with the number of people aged 80 years and over projected to more than double in the coming decades. At the same time, increasing numbers of older adults are retaining their natural teeth and complex restorative dental work into later life, creating new challenges for both patients and services. The framework recognises the need for oral healthcare systems to adapt to these changing demographics and patterns of disease.
The framework promotes a life-course approach to prevention, stronger integration between dental, health and social care services, and a dependency-based model of care that focuses on an individual’s functional status rather than chronological age alone. It also highlights the importance of workforce development in gerodontology, flexible service provision, support for daily mouth care, and the use of quality indicators and outcomes to drive improvement and reduce inequalities.
Camilla Boynton, President of the British Society of Gerodontology, said:
“The publication of this framework is both timely and necessary. Good oral health is fundamental to healthy ageing and should be seen as an integral part of overall health, wellbeing and quality of life.
“I particularly welcome the emphasis on prevention, maintaining independence and supporting people across all care settings, including those living independently in the community. The framework recognises that oral health is everyone’s business and highlights the importance of partnership working across dental teams, healthcare professionals, carers and social care providers.
The British Society of Gerodontology looks forward to working with NHS England, professional bodies and service providers to support implementation of this framework and improve oral health outcomes for older people.””
The British Society of Gerodontology believes the framework provides a strong foundation for improving oral health in later life and supporting older adults to maintain comfort, function, dignity and independence for as long as possible.