Singapore's rapidly ageing population needs specialized dental care, and a new geriatric dentistry clinic has opened to meet that demand.
KEY POINTS
IN SIMPLE TERMS
Singapore has more and more older people, and their teeth and gums need special care because oral health affects their overall health and ability to eat well. A new dental clinic has opened to help seniors in the western part of Singapore get the dental care they need.
WHY IT MATTERS
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Should geriatric dentistry be prioritized and expanded in Singapore's public healthcare system to match the country's rapidly ageing population?
👍 👎 Vote ↓Remarks by Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health & Ministry of Law, at the Official Opening of the National University Centre for Oral Health Singapore Dental Clinic @ Alexandra Hospital, 3 April 2023, 9.00am at Alexandra Hospital
The following is our quick take on her remarks.
Ageing is like a river that flows ever onward.
As Singapore’s population ages, the importance of geriatric dentistry grows.
Geriatric dentistry, the care of older adults oral health, is vital to helping seniors live well.
Singapore has one of the fastest-ageing populations in the world.
By 2030, one in four adults will be 65 or older.
Seniors often face multiple chronic health conditions and physical impairments.
With over 159,000 adults above 65 years old living in Western Singapore, oral health is crucial to their well-being.
Mdm Rahayu Mahzam said, “Addressing the oral health needs of older adults, therefore cannot be underestimated.”
Oral health and general health are closely connected.
Issues like diabetes and gum disease have a well-established link.
Maintaining good oral health in seniors is important, so they can eat well and get the nutritional benefits of a balanced diet.
As Singapore tackles the challenges of an ageing population, prevention and intervention become more critical.
To meet the oral healthcare needs of Western Singapore’s seniors, the National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore (NUCOHS) Dental Clinic opened at Alexandra Hospital.
The clinic offers dental services for geriatric patients, focusing on prevention and intervention.
In the end, geriatric dentistry is vital to ensuring Singapore’s ageing population’s overall health and well-being.
As the river of time continues to flow, the NUCOHS Dental Clinic and other geriatric dental services will play an essential role in keeping our seniors healthy and happy.
Should geriatric dentistry be prioritized and expanded in Singapore's public healthcare system to match the country's rapidly ageing population?
Be the first to weigh in.
