By Shelley Winger
Redwater Dental recently brought more than chicken noodle soup, coffee and
cookies to residents at the Redwater Lodge.
On August 31, the dental team visited the lodge to share information about dental
care, oral health and options available to seniors, while spending time with
residents and providing dental care packages.
It was the clinic’s first visit of this kind, but the team hopes to make it a more
regular occurrence.
The visit began with a discussion about dental care at home and what seniors
can expect as their dental health changes with age.
“We started by explaining how to do dental care at home and what to expect with
their dental health as they age,” the clinic said.
Some residents told the team they did not regularly see a dentist because
nothing was hurting or they did not consider dental care important.
However, the clinic emphasized that oral health can change significantly as
people age, particularly when certain medications are involved.
The team also addressed the common belief that losing teeth is simply a normal
part of getting older.
The clinic said it met residents who have retained their natural teeth, noting that
maintaining those teeth is not necessarily related to having more money, but
rather to receiving regular dental care before problems become more serious.
Dentures were another topic of discussion.
“Some seniors also believe that wearing dentures is simply something that
happens with age, but that isn’t the only option anymore,” the clinic said.
The team explained that seniors who retain more of their natural teeth may also
have an easier time eating a wider variety of foods as they age, while some
people with dentures may choose softer foods because they are easier to chew.
Cost was also an important part of the conversation.
Many seniors may assume dental care is financially out of reach once they are
no longer working. The team provided information about options including the
Alberta Blue Cross Seniors’ Dental Assistance Program and Canadian Dental
Care Plan coverage through Sun Life, both of which are income-based programs
for those who qualify.
For those who do not qualify for those programs and do not have other dental
insurance, Redwater Dental also offers a membership plan starting at $35 per
month.
The clinic said one of the most meaningful parts of the visit was being able to
bring information directly to residents who may not otherwise hear about the
available options.
“A lot of this information simply doesn’t reach residents inside the lodge,” the
clinic said. “Visiting them in person let us share these options and helped many
of them realize there are ways to improve their quality of life that they didn’t know
existed.”
The dental team hopes to return to the lodge for similar visits more frequently
than once a year.