Funded by
Includes complimentary CEUs
This webinar will highlight the articles included in the Fall Generations journal issue “Aging and the Importance of Oral Health.” Dr. Vyan Nguyen from the Gary & Mary West Foundation will discuss the role of philanthropy in bringing to light the importance of oral health and aging with projects such as the Generations oral health issue. Guest editor Michèle Saunders, D.M.D, M.S., M.P.H, will review the history of covering oral health services and the importance of increasing access to oral healthcare for older adults. She will discuss the vital connection between oral healthcare and general health, especially in older adults. Dr. Saunders will provide an overview of the entire Generations issue. Then Eliah Aronoff-Spencer, M.D., Ph.D., will discuss the efforts of the Gary & Mary West Senior Dental Center to build a qualitative and quantitative evidence base on the mouth-body connection.
Participants in this web seminar will be able to:
- Describe the role of philanthropy in raising awareness around the issue of oral health and aging;
- Discuss the importance of increasing access to oral healthcare for older adults because of the vital connection between oral healthcare and general health, especially in elders; and,
- Identify methods for research and care to integrate oral and general health.
Presenters:
Dr. Vyan Nguyen oversees the Gary & Mary West Foundation’s grant portfolios in support of its mission to enable seniors to age successfully, with access to high-quality health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence.
Dr. Michèle J. Saunders is adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and is cross-appointed in the Department of Periodontics. Dr. Saunders is a national leader in health professions education and was the guest editor for this special issue of Generations.
Dr. Eliah Aronoff-Spencer is an infectious disease specialist and research scientist in global health technology development and integration. He is a consultant to the Gary & Mary West Foundation, and serves as project lead and principal investigator on the Oral Health and Integrated Wellness program at West Health.
*This web seminar is approved for AoTA contact hours in addition to CEUs approved for all ASA web seminars.