A report in Australian Ageing Agenda has described a new trial of preventative treatments and staff education in a Sydney aged care home. Led by start-up Eighty Twenty Prevention Australia, the six-month trial focuses on improving oral health outcomes for Mission Australia residents through a prevention-first model.
The six-month pilot started last week at Mission Australia’s Charles Chambers Court aged care home. The home services disadvantaged older people in Surry Hills in Sydney’s inner east. The program will run until January next year.
The aim of the program is to improve comfort, nutrition and overall quality of life for residents. At the same time, it is intended to lower the risk of serious complications such as hospital admissions.
Clinical delivery of the program will be provided by Eighty Twenty Prevention Australia, an Australian start-up focused on improving older people’s dental hygiene and preventative oral care.
Eighty Twenty Prevention Australia co-founder Matthew Short told the publication, “Residents who take part will receive an oral health assessment by an oral health professional, with their individual needs and level of risk identified. The program also includes practical education and upskilling for nursing and care staff, individualised oral-care recommendations, ongoing monitoring and pathways for further dental treatment where required.
“A key part of the model is that we work alongside the existing care team rather than operating separately from them. We want oral health professionals and aged care staff to function as colleagues around the resident, with each bringing their own expertise.”
The publication reported that aged care is the primary focus of Eighty Twenty Prevention Australia. Mr Short said the name is inspired by Japan’s 8020 movement, which promotes the idea that maintaining functional dentition into older age should be a lifelong prevention goal.
Japan’s public health campaign promotes 20 natural, healthy teeth at age 80 and over as the minimum amount required to eat the most common variety of foods and maintain a balanced diet.
Read more about the program here.
