Oral Health and the Older Adult

Total health and wellness are inextricably linked to oral health. Participate in this module to understand the unique oral health needs of the older adult and how to assess and manage common oral health problems. Learn about the impact oral disease has on the physical, psychological, social and economic health and well-being of older adults.

Author and Expert Interviewee
Robert Rada, DDS, MBA
Clinical Professor
Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences
College of Dentistry
University of Illinois at Chicago
Private Practice, LaGrange, IL
University of Illinois at Chicago

Co-Author
Jessica Williams
Doctoral Candidate, Class of 2018
College of Dentistry
University of Illinois at Chicago

Author and Expert’s Bio
Dr. Robert Rada received his DDS in 1985, from the University of Illinois – Chicago. He then completed a general practice residency at Loyola University. He currently is a clinical professor in the Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and teaches in the undergraduate group practice clinics. He has been course director for the geriatric dentistry lecture series and a content expert for the geriatrics small group learning module. Dr. Rada maintains a private practice in LaGrange, Illinois focusing on care for patients of all ages with special needs and hospital dentistry.

Editors:
Valerie Gruss PhD, APN, CNP-BC
Associate Professor
College of Nursing
Director, ENGAGE-IL
University of Illinois at Chicago

Memoona Hasnain MD, MHPE, PhD
Professor and Associate Department Head, Faculty Development & Research
College of Medicine,
Department of Family Medicine
Co-Director, ENGAGE-IL
University of Illinois at Chicago

Duration: 30 minutes
Format: Video Stream & pdfs
CEU Value: 0.5

Handout - One Slide Per Page

Handout - Three Slides Per Page

Resources and References

In support of patient care, Rush University Medical Center is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Rush University Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of (0.50) AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity is being presented without bias and without commercial support.

ANCC Credit Designation – Nurses
The maximum number of hours awarded for this CE activity is 0.50 contact hours.

Rush University is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000272), occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, social work (159.001203), nutrition, speech-audiology, and psychology by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University designates this live activity for (0.50) Continuing Education credit(s).

Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge based CPE activity for 0.50 contact hours for pharmacists.

Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to:

1. Describe the unique oral health needs of the older adult
2. Identify the oral health needs of the severely medically compromised older adult
3. Discuss the utilization of oral hygiene maintenance therapies for older adults with dentures
4. Describe assessment and management of common oral health problems, including xerostomia, stomatitis, dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia, candidiasis and oral cancers

For technical support, please notify engage@engageil.com.

To report a complaint, please contact the ENGAGE-IL Program Help Desk at engageIL@engageil.com.

This ENGAGE-IL learning activity fully complies with the legal requirements of the ADA and the rules and regulations thereof. Learners with special needs can make requests for accommodation at any time by sending e-mail to engageIL@engageil.com.