Study Suggests Few Older Americans Have Dental Insurance

InsuranceNewsNet reported Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research on Medicare beneficiaries, published in the December issue of the journal Health Affairs, suggests that “only 12 percent of older Americans have some form of dental insurance and fewer than half visited a dentist in the previous year.” Such “an enormous unmet need for dental insurance among those 65 and older in the United States” means older adults are “at risk for oral health problems that could be prevented or treated with timely dental care, including tooth decay, gum disease and loss of teeth.” The research also highlights “the financial burden associated with dental visits, among both the insured and uninsured.” Study author Amber Willink, PhD, an assistant scientist in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Bloomberg School, said, “With fewer and fewer retiree health plans covering dental benefits, we are ushering in a population of people with less coverage and who are less likely to routinely see a dentist. We need to think about cost-effective solutions to this problem.”

MouthHealthy.org provides a guide to finding and paying for dental care, listing factors to consider when determining if purchasing a dental benefit plan will save money on dental care costs.

Research Team Develops Model To Digitally Reconstruct Teeth

Engadget reports that Disney Research and ETH Zurich have developed a method “to digitally recreate teeth beyond the gum line” using “source data and everyday imagery.” After creating a model for an “average” set of teeth using 3D scans, the team “wrote an algorithm that adapts that model based on what it sees in the contours of teeth in photos and videos.” According to the article, the technology will benefit “digital actor models in animated movies and video games,” but also has “plenty of medical uses.” For example, dentists could use the technology “to previsualize a patient’s mouth before they sit in the operating chair.”

        A release on EurekAlert states that the model-based method to reconstruct teeth uses “just a few, non-invasive photos or a short smartphone video of the mouth.” In addition, the “method can digitally reconstruct teeth even though some teeth are obscured in the photos or videos by the edges of the mouth or by other teeth.”

Medicare Advantage Plans Often Include Dental Coverage

MarketWatch encouraged people to understand the differences between Medicare and Medicare Advantage, noting that “unlike traditional Medicare, some Medicare Advantage plans also offer extended benefits, such as vision and dental care.”

        MouthHealthy.org provides information on paying for dental care after retirement.

Archaeologists Find Earliest Dental Prosthesis In Medieval Tomb

International Business Times (UK) reported that archaeologists have discovered “the earliest dental prosthesis in Tuscany” during excavations “inside the S. Francesco Monastery at the town of Lucca.” The dental prosthesis, which may date back to the 14th century, is made of “five human teeth linked together by a golden band” to “replace the anterior arch of the jaw.”

        The archaeologists said in their paper published in Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, “This dental prosthesis provides a unique finding of technologically advanced dentistry in this period.”

Archaeologists Unearth “Ancient Set Of Dentures”

The Telegraph (UK) reports in continuing coverage that archaeologists have discovered an “ancient set of dentures” made from human teeth in Tuscany. Found at the monastery of S. Francesco at Lucca, the prosthetic teeth “include three central incisors and two lateral canines, repurposed from their original owners and strung together with a golden band.” Simona Minozzi, a paleopathologist at Pisa University, said, “This is the first archaeological evidence of a dental prosthesis using gold band technology for the replacement of missing teeth.” The archaeologists describe the dental prosthesis in their paper published in Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research.

The Motley Fool: Consider A Medicare Advantage Plan

The Motley Fool encourages people to consider Medicare Advantage plans since they may offer “greater coverage at a lower price than original Medicare.” The article noted that “a Medicare Advantage plan must offer at least as much coverage as original Medicare (i.e., Part A and Part B),” and “it will often provide more than that,” such as dental care.

        In a second piece, the Motley Fool stated that “many people sign up for Medicare without realizing the limitations of the program: what you do get and what you don’t.” For example, original Medicare does not cover “dentures or most dental care,” the article stated.

Archaeologists Discover Earliest Dental Prosthesis In Italy

International Business Times (UK) reported that “archaeologists have found the earliest dental prosthesis in Tuscany, in the collective tomb of an aristocratic family from the late Middle Ages.” The dental prosthesis, which may date back to the 14th century, is made of “five human teeth linked together by a golden band” to “replace the anterior arch of the jaw.”

        

The Daily Mail reported that the archaeologists said in their paper published in Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, “This dental prosthesis provides a unique finding of technologically advanced dentistry in this period.”

Many Seniors Need Dental Care But Lack Coverage

Michelle Andrews writes in her “Insuring Your Health” column in Kaiser Health News that seniors need dental care, but most lack coverage because traditional Medicare does not cover dental care. According to an analysis by the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, over a third of low-income seniors “had untreated tooth decay between 2011 and 2014.” Some have proposed adding dental coverage to Medicare Part B to increase seniors’ access to dental care, while others advocate for seniors buying private dental coverage. Marko Vujicic, the vice president of the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, said that private dental coverage often lacks values for seniors, because the premiums and copays exceed the benefits.

        MouthHealthy.org provides a guide to finding and paying for dental care, listing factors to consider when determining if purchasing a dental benefit plan will save money on dental care costs.

Study: Tooth Loss Associated With Reduced Physical, Mental Health Among Older Adults

Science Daily carried a release stating “older adults who have significant tooth loss are less functional when compared with people who lose fewer teeth,” according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. For the study, researchers “examined information from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) project,” which asked participants questions about the number of teeth they had, their physical and mental health, and their ability to perform common activities. The researchers suggested “it is essential that older adults receive the support they need to maintain good oral health self-care practices, and that they receive adequate dental care.”

        MouthHealthy.org provides oral health information for patients over 60.

Programs Focus On Dental Care As Part Of Effort To Keep Seniors Out Of Nursing Homes

The New York Times reported that private companies are taking advantage of “a little-known Medicare program,” known as PACE, or the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, “that will pay to keep older and disabled Americans out of nursing homes.” Through the program, Medicare and Medicaid pay PACE providers on average “$76,728 a person a year, about $5,500 less than the average cost of a nursing home.” The flat payment structure encourages “organizations to invest in maintaining a patient’s health and safety to avoid big hospital bills,” and given this, “dentistry — excluded from traditional Medicare coverage — is a crucial focus.” According to the article, “Programs invest heavily to fix broken teeth and dentures to avoid costly infections or poor nutrition that can cause cascading health problems.”

Preventative Oral Care Has Helped Seniors Keep More Teeth

The Poughkeepsie (NY) Journal reported that preventative measures, such as brushing with fluoride, the increased importance of calcium, and abstaining from tobacco, have helped 75 percent of people over the age of 65 keep some or all of their natural teeth, according to the American Dental Association. The article also says the source of calcium intake is important, according to the ADA, because adults who “got their calcium almost exclusively from supplements were found to be almost twice as likely to suffer heart attacks as those who took no calcium supplements.” The ADA recommends 1,000 mg of calcium daily from food sources such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Health officials say more must be done to promote senior oral care, because the CDC “reports 23 percent of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have sever gum disease.”

While Not Recommended, Nail Biting And Thumb Sucking Reduce Risk Of Developing Allergies, Study Finds

CBS News (7/11) reports on its website and during a broadcast that “children who bite their nails and suck their thumbs are about one-third less likely to develop certain allergies,” according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. “Cat, grass, house dust mite, and dog [allergies] – those were reduced, some significantly, some borderline,” said study author Malcolm Sears, a researcher for the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at McMaster University School of Medicine, in Ontario, Canada. “When they suck their thumbs or bite their nails they’re exposing themselves to additional microbes or dirt which is stimulating the immune system.” CBS News adds that the findings do not imply parents should encourage their kids to bite their nails or suck their thumb, noting “the American Dental Association advises that while thumb- or finger-sucking is a natural reflex in young children, intense sucking can cause problems with a child’s tooth alignment.”

Team Uses 3D Printer To Restore Patient’s Face

The New York Observer reports in continuing coverage on its website and in an online video that a team from Indiana University has designed a new jaw for a 68-year-old Vietnam veteran who “lost the lower half of his face to tongue cancer.” The team “digitally designed a prosthesis” to complement the man’s face “perfectly.” According to the article, “Their process, dubbed the ‘IU Shirley Technique,’ is now being used to help other patients—representing the latest breakthrough in 3D printing prosthetics.”

Budgeting For Dental Costs Advised For Those With Medicare

In a broader piece listing out-of-pocket costs those with Medicare can “expect to pay,” US News & World Report (5/9, Brandon) states that Medicare does not cover some medical services, including dental care. The article recommends budgeting for “commonly needed medical services that Medicare doesn’t cover,” including dental care.

Taking Steps To Promote Oral Health Encouraged For People With Diabetes

In its “Oral Care — Secret Key to Diabetes Success” blog, Diabetes Self-Management (3/23, Spero) stated that “caring for your mouth helps your diabetes,” adding research suggests that having healthier gums and treating gum disease may help people with diabetes. After listing symptoms of gum disease, the article provides dental hygiene tips, noting “the American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes each time, and flossing once a day.” The article also encouraged readers to avoid foods that damage teeth, as listed by the ADA.

Researchers Find Neanderthals May Have Used Toothpicks

LiveScience reported that scientists have “found traces of wood trapped in fossilized plaque stuck to Neanderthal teeth,” indicating Neanderthals may have used “prehistoric toothpicks” to remove bits of food out of their teeth, according to a new study, published in the April issue of the journal Antiquity. A group of scientists led by Anita Radini, an archaeologist at the University of York in the United Kingdom, “examined teeth found at El Sidrón cave in Spain,” finding “bits of nonedible, and noncharred, conifer wood tissue in the plaque.”

Many Seniors Lack Dental Coverage

The Provo (UT) Daily Herald (3/16, Cook) states that “according to the Center for Disease Control, a little over half (60 percent) of today’s senior adults visited a dentist in 2013 despite the fact that one in four of seniors aged 65 and older have gum disease.” The article notes seniors face several unique challenges when it comes to accessing dental care, such as lacking dental coverage and transportation. Stating that “regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene habits remain important for seniors,” the article provides several suggestions for helping seniors overcome these and other challenges.

Gum Disease Associated With Cognitive Deterioration In People With Alzheimer’s, Study Suggests

BBC News (UK) (3/10, Howell) reported that a small study, published in PLOS ONE, suggests a link between gum disease and “a greater rate of cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease.” The early stage research, led by the University of Southampton and King’s College London, involved “59 people who were all deemed to have mild to moderate dementia.” After tracking the participants for six months, the study found “the presence of gum disease – or periodontitis as it is known – was associated with a six-fold increase in the rate of cognitive decline.”

        The Independent (UK) (3/11, Gander) reported that the research “builds on previous evidence which has linked periodontitis with higher levels of inflammatory molecules associated with deteriorated mental health,” adding that the study suggested that “the body’s inflammatory response to gum disease could explain the link between gum disease and cognitive deterioration.”

Dental Visit Was “Turning Point” For Runner With Eating Disorder

In an article in The Guardian (UK) (1/8), marathon runner Tom Fairbrother described how he developed and recovered from an eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, stating the “turning point” was when he went to the dentist to seek care for a toothache. Fairbrother said the dentist “asked if I was making myself sick, because my front teeth had been eroded by 75% due to the stomach acid from vomiting.” Fairbrother said, “It was the first time I had ever been asked directly, and I had no choice but to confess to him,” adding, “He informed me that if this behaviour continued, within six months I would lose my front teeth entirely.” The ADA provides additional information on eating disorders and oral health at MouthHealthy.org.

Dental Implants May Result In Better Quality Of Life For Osteoporotic Women

Science Daily (6/12) reports on a study published June 11 in the Journal of International Dentistry that “suggests dental implants may be the best route to take” as treatment for tooth loss in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The study looked at women with one or more adjacent teeth missing, excluding wisdom teeth or third molars, who had restoration work done that included implants, a fixed partial denture, a removable denture, or no restoration work. “Women with dental implants reported a higher overall satisfaction with their lives, said Christine DeBaz, a third-year Case Western Reserve dental student,” who served as the study’s lead researcher.