Split Session: Dementia & Oral Health | SugarFree Smiles… Clinical A/Prof Matthew Hopcraft

Description

Dementia & oral health

The Australian population is ageing, and older Australians are retaining more natural teeth, posing signifi cant challenges for the dental profession. The ADA and Alzheimer’s Australia developed a six-module online video CPD program with the aim of educating dentists on best practice processes to treat the increasing numbers of people with dementia they will encounter in their practices as the population ages. The series emphasises the importance of continuity of care, the use of preventative dentistry and ensuring that a high quality of life is maintained.

Learning Outcomes
• Understand the demographic changes in the Australian population
• Understand the oral health and treatment needs of older Australians, particularly those living with dementia
• Understand some of the complexities involved in the dental management of patients living with dementia

SugarFree Smiles – Oral health advocacy

Dental caries rates have been increasing in Australian children by more than 50% since the mid-1990s, and sugar is the culprit. Teenagers are consuming around 20 teaspoons of added sugar per day, well in excess of WHO recommendations of <6 teaspoons. SugarFree Smiles advocates for public health policies and regulatory initiatives to reduce sugar consumption and improve the oral health of all Australians. Learning Outcomes: • Understand the nature and scale of the problems with dental caries in Australian children • Have an appreciation of the role they can play in advocacy to improve oral health Clinical A/Prof Matthew Hopcraft Clinical Associate Professor Matthew Hopcraft is a dental public health expert with over 20 years’ experience in teaching, research and clinical practice, who has published more than 40 journal papers. With strong ties to the Australian Dental Association, he currently works as a Clinical Advisor at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and as a Professional & Scientific Relations Consultant to Oral-B.