Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
17 August 2017 08:18
Experts have warned about the number of over-65s facing urgent dental conditions
Older people are being "let down" when it comes to access to dental care, experts have warned.
The call for a "more joined-up approach" came from the Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) as a report revealed at least 1.8 million over-65s could have an urgent dental condition.
Oral sepsis and serious tooth decay were among the conditions highlighted in the report. The effects of such conditions can be "isolating" for older people and impact upon their quality of life, says the FDS.
Don't let dental problems ruin your holiday - arrange specialist over-65s travel insurance.
Urgent action needed
The FDS warns the number of over-65s facing urgent dental conditions across England, Wales and Northern Ireland could rise by more than 50% by 2040.
The organisation has called for urgent action to give older people better access to dental care.
Experts want oral health training to be rolled out to health and social care professionals to better spot potential problems, and also for regulators of care homes and hospitals to assess oral health standards.
What the FDS says
Professor Michael Escudier, dean of the FDS at the Royal College of Surgeons, said: "We are letting older people down at a time when they need the most help by not having a joined-up strategy for improving access to dental services for older people.
"Many of us know what it's like to have excruciating tooth or gum pain. It puts you off your food and makes it difficult to do daily tasks.
"For older people, the effects are even worse. It can be very isolating, making people reluctant to socialise with friends and family, and will have a significant impact on their quality of life."
22 June 2018
The number of older people diagnosed with cancer is set to increase dramatically over the next 20 years, according to experts.
[more...]
21 June 2018
Patients value their relationship with a GP more importantly than surgery opening times, according to new research.
Only 3% of patients with the most common type of pancreatic cancer are living more than five years after being diagnosed, new analysis has shown.
19 June 2018
An England fan has urged supporters back home to head to Russia and experience the warm welcome he's been enjoying from locals.
14 June 2018
A new, low-cost portable device to help protect communities in Columbia from contaminated water has been developed by British engineers.
12 June 2018
As we near the opening match of football's grandest celebration on Thursday, fans are beginning to arrive in enthusiastic droves in Moscow.
09 June 2018
Scientists are trialling blood tests to find out the risk expecting mothers have of delivering prematurely.
08 June 2018
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned holiday-goers that some commonly-prescribed medicines are "controlled drugs" in certain countries.
A new lung cancer drug which is said to stretch life expectancy by a year is being introduced to the NHS.
06 June 2018
As pollen counts hit their highest level this week, hay fever sufferers are likely to suffer.
05 June 2018
Care home demanded to make improvements amid "serious concerns"
30 May 2018
Academics have announced their plans to examine suicide risk in men, as well as the ways to reduce it.