Dental care for older people
Dental care is often overlooked in elderly care, yet it plays a critical role in overall health, dignity, and quality of life. In this episode, Leonie Short brings decades of clinical, academic, and advocacy experience to discuss the barriers older Australians face and what we can do about it. From dry mouths to denture neglect, Leonie shares practical, compassionate insights that every carer, family member, and health professional should hear.
You’ll learn why oral health is more than just clean teeth. It’s about preventing hospitalisation, improving nutrition, and restoring confidence. Leonie doesn’t just highlight the problems; she offers simple, effective solutions that can be implemented at home, in residential care, or through mobile outreach. Leonie’s call for a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme is a rallying cry for equity and a reminder that oral health must be part of the aged care conversation.
In this episode:
* Why oral health is often the most neglected aspect of aged care
* How wealth impacts access to dental treatment
* The role of shame, trauma, and fear in avoiding dental care
* Common oral health issues in older people
* The impact of menopause and medications on saliva production
* Dentures that are decades old and why that’s a problem
* Poor oral health affects nutrition, speech, and social confidence
* The links between oral health and heart disease and diabetes
* Increased risk of aspiration pneumonia and infective endocarditis
* How often older adults should see a dentist
* Challenges with transport and accessibility for dental appointments
* Tips for daily oral care: soft toothbrushes, fluoride toothpaste, tongue scrapers
* Why toothpaste shouldn’t be used on dentures and what to use instead
* How integrated care between dental, medical, and allied health professionals can improve outcomes
Resources mentioned:
* Aged care [https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/strengthened-quality-standards/clinical-care/safety-clinical-care-services] quality standards – clinical care [https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/strengthened-quality-standards/clinical-care/safety-clinical-care-services]
* Public dental services - see below
To help improve dental health, state and territory governments provide public dental services. Visit the website of your state or territory dental service to see if you’re eligible:
* Australian Capital Territory – ACT Health [https://www.health.act.gov.au/services/dental]
* New South Wales – NSW Health [https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/oralhealth/Pages/default.aspx]
* Northern Territory – Department of Health [https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/hospitals-health-services/dental-services]
* Queensland – Queensland Health [https://www.qld.gov.au/health/services/oral-eye-ear/dental-services]
* South Australia – SA Dental [https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/services/dental+diagnostic+and+pharmacy+services/dental+services]
* Tasmania – Oral Health Tasmania [https://www.health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/dental-health/dental-health-services]
* Victoria - Department of Health [https://www.health.vic.gov.au/dental-health/access-to-victorias-public-dental-care-services]
* Western Australia – Dental Health Services [https://www.dental.wa.gov.au/]
Connect with Leonie Short:
* LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonie-m-short-2b04117/]
* Seniors Dental Care Australia [https://seniorsdentalcareaustralia.com.au/]
Connect with Coral Wilkinson:
* Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/coral_wilkinson_rn/]
* LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coral-see-me-aged-care-navigators/?originalSubdomain=au]
Follow See Me Aged Care Navigators:
* See Me ACN website [https://seemeacn.com.au/]
* Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/seemeacn/]
* Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/seemeagedcarenavigators/]
More about Your Aged Care Compass podcast:
Do you support an older loved one at home and you're ready to give up because it’s just too hard? Your Aged Care Compass is for you.
We're Coral and Michelle, the sisters behind our business, See Me Aged Care Navigators.
Coral is a registered nurse with over 30 years’ experience in both health and aged care. A former assessor with the aged care assessment team, an advocate and author, there’s not much Coral doesn’t know about Australia’s aged care system.
Michelle is a former pharmacist with over 30 years in the public health and private sectors of pharmacy. Michelle is the client care manager for our business.
Our story started as one of supporting our parents to remain in their own home, to be as independent as possible and remain connected to their community. When we eventually needed extra support, we achieved this because we know Australia’s aged care system so well. We knew what programs could assist us and our parents.
Your Aged Care Compass podcast brings together not only our personal experience in supporting our parents but also our vast professional experience in supporting other families to keep their loved ones at home.
We'll help you makes sense of Australia’s aged care system and bring you topics related to ageing as well. Legal, financial, health, forward planning and more.
Your Aged Care Compass will guide you clearly and compassionately to the right support at the right time for your ageing parents and loved ones.
Like what you hear? Please leave us a rating and review. We’d love you to share this podcast with any friends or family who have older loved ones.
