Money devoted to oral health in aged care was ‘almost third world‘

A damning report has laid bare the pitiful amount aged care homes spend on dental care, and the shocking consequences. WARNING: Graphic images.

Aged care residents are not having their teeth or dentures cleaned for months on end and in some cases they’ve stopped talking, smiling or eating, a dentist has revealed.

The latest government report published last month showed that the average amount aged care homes spend on oral care per resident, per day was a shocking nine cents.

Australian Dental Association Deputy CEO Eithne Irving said the money devoted to oral health was “minimal and paltry and almost third world in its stinginess”.

Dr Mark Wotherspoon has witnessed some horrific sights. Picture: Supplied

Dr Mark Wotherspoon, a mobile dentist based in the Riverina area of NSW, said when he walked into an aged care facility it was like he was in a “world with no dentistry”.

He said he had witnessed some horrific sights, including patients with broken teeth that were cutting into their gums or tongue, others with multiple decaying teeth or where dentures were stuck in their mouths because they had not been removed for so long.

An 88-year-old female had not had teeth cleaned under partial denture for five months. Picture: Supplied

One woman had not had her dentures cleaned for eight months.

“Most just want to have a clean mouth,” Dr Wotherspoon said.

“It’s a matter of dignity.”

He said most families had no idea there were dental issues until he showed them photos.

“When their families see the reality of the situation they’re shocked, that’s the really sad part,” he said.

“It’s heartbreaking.

“This is happening in every suburb right across Australia.”

A 74-year- old male with a sharp tooth cutting his tongue. Picture: Supplied

Mr Wotherspoon said the reasons for people not having their teeth brushed ranged from them wanting to be independent, it was difficult because they had dementia, or that there was a lack of trained staff.

He said many public patients never saw a dentist once they were in an aged care facility.

The only time they were treated was when they suffered catastrophic health problems and ended up in hospital.

“But mostly they just end up suffering in silence,” he said.

Elva Armstrong, 91, with daughter Marie Knight, 66, from Riverina, NSW, was lucky to get quick dental treatment while in aged care. Picture: Supplied

The ADA said a NSW study found that almost 77 per cent of people had never received a dental visit after moving into aged care, 14 per cent suffered from dental pain, more than 69 per cent wore dentures and of these more than 18 per cent required assistance cleaning them.

Ms Irving said good oral health prevented illness and disease and allowed residents to eat the food they wanted as well as speak normally and be able to engage with the world.

“These are basic human rights,” she said.

Elva Armstrong, 91, with great granddaughter Octavia, six months. Picture: Supplied

Marie Knight, 66, said her mum Elva Armstrong, 91, broke a tooth and suffered an abscess, which was picked up by staff.

“She was sleeping a lot and a bit run down, but as soon as she was treated she regained some of her vitality,” Ms Knight said.

Dietitians Australia chief executive Robert Hunt, who is fighting for better food in aged care, said oral health played a big part in whether residents got the nutrition they needed.

“Food is only nutritious if you can eat it,” he said.

Originally published as Money devoted to oral health in aged care was ‘almost third world‘