The oral health care needs of people living in residential aged care, Australia, 2016–20: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Providing high quality medical care for people living in residential aged care is a national challenge, and oral health care is one area that is inadequate. In 2014, 84.7% of residents in Victorian nursing homes had untreated dental decay; in 2015, 53% of Australians aged 65 years or older had periodontal disease and 19% complete tooth loss. Poor oral health is associated with other adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and pneumonia. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended that the access of aged care home residents to oral health practitioners be improved. Apart from establishing the national Senior Dental Benefits Scheme and adding dental and oral health care to the Quality of Care Principles, evidence of effective action has, however, been limited...