Domiciliary Dental Care for Medically Compromised Patients in Aging and Super-aged Societies: Policy and Education

Aging Dis. 2023 Jun 1;14(3):589-591. doi: 10.14336/AD.2022.1007.

Abstract

Domiciliary dental care (DDC) is a specialized dental service provided at patients' residences, especially for medically compromised patients. The importance of DDC has been highlighted in aging and super-aged societies. Confronted with burdens of a super-aged society, governmental efforts have promoted DDC in Taiwan. To provoke awareness of DDC in healthcare professionals, a series of continuing medical education (CME) lessons on DDC for dentists and nurse practitioners were organized between 2020 and 2021 at a tertiary medical center and demonstrating center of DDC in Taiwan, during which 66.7% of participants were very satisfied. Through political and educational efforts of the government and medical centers, an increasing number of healthcare professionals participating in DDC was observed, including both those in hospitals and those who were primary care practitioners. CME modules may promote DDC and improve the accessibility to dental care for medically compromised patients.