Dental neglect is rife says geriatric specialist

Dr Clive Rodgers – a senior dental lecturer with the University of Western Australia – has told ABC TV’s Lateline that the level of neglect he has witnessed in nursing homes is tantamount to abuse.

He said that many homes should not be receiving accreditation because of the poor quality of the dental care they provide.

Dr Rodgers has compiled a photo library to demonstrate the extent of the problem and he has surveyed 18 visiting dentists across the country.

“Out of those 18 people, 89% of them said that they didn’t believe that the standard was being met.”

Dr Rodgers told Lateline that he has lodged complaints with the accreditation agency and the Department of Health and Ageing, which he says both rejected his claims.

The Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot said the Australian Government took Dr Rodgers’ concerns seriously, and that nursing home operators had a legal obligation to provide proper dental care.

Mrs Elliot also said that the accreditation outcome (Expected Outcome 2.15) which deals with dental care would be examined as part of the government’s Review of the Accreditation Standards, which is due to be finalised in late-2009.

In 2007-2008, the Complaints Investigation Scheme received 51 complaints about oral hygiene and dental health in aged care facilities.