Hundreds of medications have oral side effects, so the prescription or over-the-counter drugs elders take may well affect their oral health. In this article, Dr. Ruth Goldblatt highlights some of the main issues that healthcare professionals should be aware of when considering medications and oral health in older adults. From dry mouth to bleeding gums, medications can result in conditions calling for care from an integrated team with dentists playing a vital role. Read More >>

Recent research demonstrates that keeping your mouth clean and healthy is important to the health of your lungs -- and the link has particular importance for older adults. Among elders at high risk for pneumonia, such as those living in nursing homes, there is good evidence that improved oral hygiene and frequent professional oral care reduces the occurrence of lung diseases. Healthcare professionals can apply these findings to help promote respiratory health for the older adults in their care. Read More >>

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States -- and in older people is an independent risk factor for mortality associated with cancer, heart disease, stroke and other conditions. Yet the effects of tobacco on the mouth often receive less attention than do the consequences for other parts of the body. Identifying these effects in older adults who use tobacco -- and helping those elders quit -- can make a major contribution to preventive healthcare. Read More >>

Informal caregivers for elders with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment face an array of challenges, including the difficulty of providing daily oral hygiene and regular dental visits for the older adult. To take on assisting an elder with these tasks, the caregiver must have oral health knowledge and skills as well as the cooperation of the care recipient. Dentists and dental hygienists can help caregivers acquire the needed skills. Read More >>

HAN Leadership Council chair Monika White brings us up to date on transformations for the network and for the American Society on Aging: A new president and CEO takes the helm at ASA; the HAN programming at the annual ASA-NCOA conference takes a new approach to learning; and the HAN newsletter takes a new form with the launch of our first electronic issue. All these dynamic developments add up to one thing, Monika says: “Change is definitely in the air!” Read More >>