GlaxoSmithKline's $250,000 grant targets older Americans' access to dental care
Efforts to improve access to dental care for older Americans received a $250,000 boost, thanks to a grant from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare to the ADA Foundation (ADAF), charitable arm of the American Dental Association (ADA).
The grant will be used to establish an "Initiative on Older Adult Access to Oral Health Care," spurring development of programs to help older Americans who face financial or other challenges in accessing dental care.
Unlike other age groups, few governmental programs cover dental services for older Americans. Only about 22 percent of adults over age 65 have private dental insurance. However, as more people keep their teeth, more will be at risk for dental diseases and will need more preventive, restorative and periodontal services.
"GSK Consumer Healthcare is excited to partner with and support the American Dental Association and its Foundation in helping to improve access to dental care for older Americans," said Sydney R. Rollock, vice president of GlaxoSmithKline Oral Care, U.S.
According to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about half of adults aged 65 and over visited a dentist in 2001, compared with the nearly 75 percent rate for children. About three out of 10 older Americans no longer have any natural teeth and over four out of 10 have gum disease. Gum disease, when not treated, can result in the loss of teeth.
"Having successfully helped millions of Americans keep their teeth as they age into their 70s and 80s, we now face an increase in dental disease among them. So we are very pleased to work with GlaxoSmithKline on this very important access initiative," said Dr. Richard Haught, ADA president. "Oral disease can cause or exacerbate infections, and the discomfort can prevent people from following a nutritious diet, both of which can threaten overall health."
The ADA Foundation will issue a request for proposals, awarding competitive grants of up to $50,000 to applicants whose oral health promotion programs are designed to improve and maintain older Americans' oral health through effective preventive education, care and treatment. An advisory committee will select programs for funding. Visit www.ada.org/ada/prod/adaf/index.asp or call the ADA Foundation at 312-440-2547 for more information.
