Dental hygienist Denise Logsdon gives patient Linda Bowen a cleaning at South River Health and Rehabilitation in Edgewater. Logsdon works with Onsite Health Care Services, which aims to reduce the risk of fatal pneumonia to nursing home patients by providing proper oral health care.
Shannon Lee Zirkle — The Capital
A study last year by the American Geriatrics Society found that roughly one in 10 cases of death from pneumonia in nursing home residents could have been prevented through improved oral hygiene. A study from the Academy of General Dentistry also found that elderly people living in nursing homes are at greater risk for dental problems than elderly people who live independently.
Currently, nursing homes in Maryland, Florida, Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania use the Onsite program. Staffs offer a range of oral hygiene services.
But not all patients welcome the care, company President George Harris said.
"Most people in nursing homes don't get simple oral hygiene," Harris said. "Lots of people in nursing homes are difficult to deal with. You can get bitten, you can get punched, and the people charged with (doing the dental hygiene) shy away from it."
Onsite offers five different programs that provide cleanings, care for cavities, dentures and other services. Generally, a dentist visits once a year to give each patient an evaluation and determine his or her needs, while hygienists like Logsdon visit twice a month to provide whatever care is needed.
The care is insured through Senior Dental Insurance Solutions and is 100 percent reimbursable for seniors receiving Medicaid.
"Being in this industry and seeing patients not having the oral care they need is disheartening," said Becky Main, administrator of the South River facility. "I can't tell you when (many of the patients) had oral care done beyond brushing teeth."
South River began offering the program about two months ago and is still signing up patients.
This time, Logsdon gave Bowen a cleaning and a fluoride treatment. She left with a new toothbrush and mouth rinse.
Next month, a dentist will come and Bowen will receive a comprehensive exam. A treatment plan also will be set up.
"I'm interested in this program," Bowen said. "They do a good job." [rc]
Copyright © 2009 | Capital Gazette Communications, Inc.,
November 25, 2009
USA: You're Never Too Old To Smile
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ANNAPOLIS, Maryland / The Capital Hometown Annapolis.com / Lifestyle / November 25, 2009
Dental care, services stressed at nursing homes
By Shantee Woodards, Staff Writer
Up until this point, Linda Bowen's oral health-care routine consisted of nothing more than daily brushing.
But Bowen, a patient at South River Health and Rehabilitation Center in Edgewater, decided she wanted to go further to protect her gums and teeth.
So the 58-year-old signed up for a program from Onsite Health Care Services, which provides dental health services at nursing homes. The company aims to reduce the risk of other illnesses, such as pneumonia, by providing preventive oral health care.
"Your gums are pretty healthy," hygienist Denise Logsdon said as she examined Bowen's teeth and mouth. "That's what we see a lot of (in nursing homes). ... A lot of it is gum disease."
Stevensville-based Onsite developed a program to help nursing homes stay on top of their patients' dental needs. Studies have shown that neglecting the teeth of elderly can result in more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia.
Dental hygienist Denise Logsdon gives patient Linda Bowen a cleaning at South River Health and Rehabilitation in Edgewater. Logsdon works with Onsite Health Care Services, which aims to reduce the risk of fatal pneumonia to nursing home patients by providing proper oral health care.
Shannon Lee Zirkle — The Capital
A study last year by the American Geriatrics Society found that roughly one in 10 cases of death from pneumonia in nursing home residents could have been prevented through improved oral hygiene. A study from the Academy of General Dentistry also found that elderly people living in nursing homes are at greater risk for dental problems than elderly people who live independently.
Currently, nursing homes in Maryland, Florida, Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania use the Onsite program. Staffs offer a range of oral hygiene services.
But not all patients welcome the care, company President George Harris said.
"Most people in nursing homes don't get simple oral hygiene," Harris said. "Lots of people in nursing homes are difficult to deal with. You can get bitten, you can get punched, and the people charged with (doing the dental hygiene) shy away from it."
Onsite offers five different programs that provide cleanings, care for cavities, dentures and other services. Generally, a dentist visits once a year to give each patient an evaluation and determine his or her needs, while hygienists like Logsdon visit twice a month to provide whatever care is needed.
The care is insured through Senior Dental Insurance Solutions and is 100 percent reimbursable for seniors receiving Medicaid.
"Being in this industry and seeing patients not having the oral care they need is disheartening," said Becky Main, administrator of the South River facility. "I can't tell you when (many of the patients) had oral care done beyond brushing teeth."
South River began offering the program about two months ago and is still signing up patients.
This time, Logsdon gave Bowen a cleaning and a fluoride treatment. She left with a new toothbrush and mouth rinse.
Next month, a dentist will come and Bowen will receive a comprehensive exam. A treatment plan also will be set up.
"I'm interested in this program," Bowen said. "They do a good job." [rc]
Copyright © 2009 | Capital Gazette Communications, Inc.,
Dental hygienist Denise Logsdon gives patient Linda Bowen a cleaning at South River Health and Rehabilitation in Edgewater. Logsdon works with Onsite Health Care Services, which aims to reduce the risk of fatal pneumonia to nursing home patients by providing proper oral health care.
Shannon Lee Zirkle — The Capital
A study last year by the American Geriatrics Society found that roughly one in 10 cases of death from pneumonia in nursing home residents could have been prevented through improved oral hygiene. A study from the Academy of General Dentistry also found that elderly people living in nursing homes are at greater risk for dental problems than elderly people who live independently.
Currently, nursing homes in Maryland, Florida, Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania use the Onsite program. Staffs offer a range of oral hygiene services.
But not all patients welcome the care, company President George Harris said.
"Most people in nursing homes don't get simple oral hygiene," Harris said. "Lots of people in nursing homes are difficult to deal with. You can get bitten, you can get punched, and the people charged with (doing the dental hygiene) shy away from it."
Onsite offers five different programs that provide cleanings, care for cavities, dentures and other services. Generally, a dentist visits once a year to give each patient an evaluation and determine his or her needs, while hygienists like Logsdon visit twice a month to provide whatever care is needed.
The care is insured through Senior Dental Insurance Solutions and is 100 percent reimbursable for seniors receiving Medicaid.
"Being in this industry and seeing patients not having the oral care they need is disheartening," said Becky Main, administrator of the South River facility. "I can't tell you when (many of the patients) had oral care done beyond brushing teeth."
South River began offering the program about two months ago and is still signing up patients.
This time, Logsdon gave Bowen a cleaning and a fluoride treatment. She left with a new toothbrush and mouth rinse.
Next month, a dentist will come and Bowen will receive a comprehensive exam. A treatment plan also will be set up.
"I'm interested in this program," Bowen said. "They do a good job." [rc]
Copyright © 2009 | Capital Gazette Communications, Inc.,
