CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - The Virginia Dental Association has launched an effort to improve the dental health of seniors living in long-term care facilities.
A team of dentists, hygienists and other volunteers will provide preventive dental care at such facilities during the yearlong pilot program. The association launched the program on Friday at Trinity Mission Health in Charlottesville.
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Dr. Frank Iuorno, chair of the initiative, says in a news release that nursing home residents often stop eating because of poor teeth. This can result in illness due to poor nutrition, often requiring hospitalization.
Iuorno says the association believes preventive dental care will reduce the burden on the health care system.
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