A Management Program
Edentulism is an oral health condition associated with partial or complete loss of teeth. According to medical experts, the problem is most prevalent among older adults from poor populations. As of 2010, over 158 million people suffered from edentulism in the world (Research in action, n.d). In addition, the condition is more common among females than in males. Some of the factors associated with the loss of teeth include changes in food preferences and taste, as well as a nutritional deficiency.
In this paper, the author will propose a project to combat edentulism among adults living in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition, the writer will analyze three forms of resources required for the program to succeed.
Edentulism in Louisville, Kentucky: Prevalence
Louisville is one of the poorest cities in America. It has some of the highest rates of edentulism in the country. The prevalence of the condition among the older adult population is associated with various socio-economic and chronic conditions, such as asthma (Oral health in rural communities, 2016). Other factors linked to the problem are risky behaviors, such as smoking and infrequent dental visits.
Since my recent move to the city, I have noted that Kentucky has one of the most economically depressed urban neighborhoods in America. The average annual income for most individuals in the metropolitan is below $25,000. As a result, most people in the city are considered poor. The poverty level is one of the reasons why the prevalence of edentulism is high in the city (Issel, 2013).
The Proposed Program to Manage Edentulism
To manage the condition, a community-based oral health promotion project is proposed. The program will involve educating the people on the dangers associated with the condition, prevention measures, and the need for clinical intervention. Medical experts will pitch camps in neighborhoods around the city. The mobile centers will be used to examine, treat, and provide people with information about the condition. For example, the residents will be encouraged to use such products as fluoride to prevent dental caries among the elderly. Topical application and rinsing the mouth using fluoride averts both root surface and coronal caries (Oral health, 2014).
The community-based project will also focus on the concept of Predisposing, Reinforcing, and Enabling Courses in Educational Diagnosis and Evaluation (PRECEDE). Most residents in Kentucky are affected by poverty. As a result, the program will work with the state government to bring about changes and eliminate financial barriers in the oral health care systems (Research in action, n.d).
Resources Needed to Sustain the Program
Projects require a number of resources to keep them running and ensure their success (Issel, 2013). To this end, the edentulism program will require financial resources, medical equipment, and professional dentists.
Financial Resources
Finance is crucial to the success of any project. For the current program, funds will be needed to set up the mobile treatment centers around neighborhoods in Kentucky (Oral health in rural communities, 2016). In addition, money will be required to publish brochures and purchase medical equipment.
Professional Dentists
Experienced, licensed, and registered dentists will be needed for the program. The reason is that mobile centers cannot operate without dental care experts (Oral health, 2014). The team will examine, treat, and educate the residents.
Medical Equipment
Medical equipment will keep the program running. The reason is that without the necessary facilities, no tests can be conducted on elderly persons suffering from edentulism (Issel, 2013).
Conclusion
Edentulism is a major health concern around the globe. However, the implementation of programs aimed at educating the people and encouraging self-monitoring approaches will help in managing the problem. Medical experts in the dental field should engage more with the public. They should advise the people on the need for increased use of dental services.
References
Issel, M. (2013). Health program planning and evaluation: A practical, systematic approach for community health (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Oral health in rural communities. (2016). Web.
Oral health. (2014). Web.
Research in action: Improving health, saving money. (n.d). Web.