Can a Low-threshold Check-up Motivate Older People to Schedule a Dental Visit?

Oral Disease

There is little research on the effect of oral screening campaigns for improving oral health in older people. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a low-threshold contact with an oral health professional, including an oral health examination, on dental attendance of older people (65 years of age or older).

The intervention group will be provided with tools to facilitate dental contact and will be informed about the importance of regular dental visits. Participants are given the opportunity to receive an oral examination. Afterwards, each participant will receive brochures with oral hygiene instructions to take home. Participants will receive information about any identified oral pathology. A referral letter for the dentist and a report for the general practitioner will also be prepared to increase social influence. If the participant doesn't have a dentist, the participant will receive a list of contact information for dentists in the area. In the control group, no oral examination will be performed. However, participants will be given a list of nearby dentists and flyers with oral hygiene instructions. In this way, we want to find out whether the presence of a dental professional with tailored advice is crucial to motivate an elderly person to good oral care.

Belgium