Is neglect of oral health considered elder neglect?

"Elder Neglect" defined by the California Pen. code 15610.57 means either of the following 1) The negligent failure of any person having the care or custody of an elder or a dependent adult to exercise that degree of care that a reasonable person in a like position would exercise.(2) The negligent failure of an elder or dependent adult to exercise that degree of self care that a reasonable person in a like position would exercise. Elder Neglect includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:Failure to assist in personal hygiene, or in the provision of food, clothing, or shelter. Failure to provide medical care for physical and mental health needs....

This definition distinctly points out "personal hygiene" and "failure to provide medical care for physical ...needs"  Maybe since the term dental is not specified in the definition caregivers feel like it is not important?  Or maybe the term "medical need"  includes the total human body except the mouth?  But the last timed I personally checked, the human mouth was located in the human body.  In fact, I do think it is located, in the most vital part of the body term the "danger/red zone" , close to blood brain barrier and highly vascular.

So, if the mouth is in the body and the body is what is in need for "medical care", why am I seeing rampant decay in homebound frail elderly,  why am I seeing cases where a frail elderly's denture has not been remove from her mouth in 5 years,  why am I seeing severe periodontal disease in Alzheimer/Dementia patients?

These questions still perplex me, especially when there are mobile practitioners like myself that willing to put in the extra time to specialized in the frail elderly and homebound. 

I got it!  Its because the mouth can't be seen.  So a caregiver will call a practitioner for inflamed gushing wounds on a client's toe, but not a red gushing wound in mouth (periodontal disease).  Luckily that toe does have skin, connective tissue, and protective surface that can slow an infection, whereas, the gum infection in the mouth dumps right into the very vascular tissue and is carried throughout the blood stream to the brain, to the heart, and to the entire body.  This pathogenic bacteria can cause heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia, and diabetes. 

So...treat:                                   But don't ....treat??????????????????:

 

Lets see what we are missing...

 

 

Candidiasis from not removing dentures daily

 

Periodontal Disease from lack of daily oral care and profession cleanings

 

Rampant painful cavities/caries/decay from lack of preventative oral interventions

 

End-stage oral cancer that could have been caught earlier with

periodic oral exams from oral professionals

 

My point in this blog is don't "neglect" your mouth, don't "neglect" your clients mouth.  Take care of total body health, which includes your oral cavity and find a mobile professional that can help those who are homebound or disabled.  Incorporate consistent dental hygiene care and daily oral care in your facilities. 

 

Ohana Dental Hygiene Practice       www.ohanamobilehygiene.com        (714) 638-8709