Overview
This module is designed for both dental and nondental professionals who work in rural communities. Key concepts and strategies to improve the oral health of older adults who are either aging in place or living in long term care facilities are described. The focus is on the supportive role of the collaborative team and the clinical decision-making of the dental team to provide person-centered care when resources are limited.
Learning Objectives
After completing this module, learners will be able to:
- Advocate for oral health for older adults within an overall health framework.
- Assess the risk and benefits of treatment options when resources are limited in a rural setting.
- Facilitate an interprofessional team approach to promote collaborative care in rural settings.
- Support strategies to improve oral health care coordination for older adults in rural settings who are aging in place or in long term care settings.
Module Author
Sarah Dirks, DDS
Associate Professor, University of Colorado – School of Dental Medicine, Department of Community Dentistry and Population Health
Dr. Dirks has completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in Geriatric Dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center. She has over thirty years’ experience in both academia and private practice with a clinical focus on medically complex older adults.