Oral Health disparities among seniors

There are oral health disparities among the underprivileged elderly minority population in Massachusetts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the elderly make up a growing percentage of the U.S. population. According to the 2015 U.S. Census, over one million members of Massachusetts’ population are 65 years old or older, and that number is expected to double by 2035. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 23 percent of 65 to 75 year olds suffer from severe periodontal diseases, with rates increasing with age and lower socioeconomic status. Older adults can have tooth decay at higher rates than children. Oral and pharyngeal cancers are primarily diagnosed in the elderly population, and have poor prognosis. Neurological disease is another age associated condition which makes the elderly population more vulnerable to oral diseases.