#04 - Oral Health on Focus: Dysphagia

Aging Pearls Podcast

“It's important to look beyond the mouth and to consider that oral health impacts overall health in various different ways.” - Rebecca H. Affoo

Hello! Welcome to the Aging Pearls Podcast, where we're dedicated to providing dental pearls for all those concerned with the oral care needs of our aging population. I am Dr. Christie Hogue and today, we have Rebecca H. Affoo, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, SLP-Reg, SLP(C). She will be sharing her experience as a practitioner and an educator. She discusses the connections between aging, eating habits, illnesses, and how we must go beyond and realize the impact of oral health to overall health.

[00:01 – 07:23] Finding the Links - Aging, Oral Health, and Impairment

• Who is Rebecca H. Affoo?
• • Researching on the link between oral health and dysphasia
• The impact of oral health
• • Individuals who have dysphagia or swallowing impairment may go on to develop aspiration pneumonia.
  • • Misdirection into the larynx and then the airways
    • Oral health as an indicator of potentially developing aspiration pneumonia
  • There is a relationship between oral health, swallowing, and respiratory health.
• Finding the intersections of dysfunctions

[07:24 – 19:50] Looking Beyond Oral Health - Implications to Overall Health

• Importance of swallowing in relation to oral health
• • SLPs, nurses, and physicians are the key persons for support in helping people feel more confident to include oral healthcare into their practice.
  • • Interest in dental care prompts interprofessional connections
• Experiencing clinical practice in both America and Canada
• • A major difference is billing - America’s healthcare system is confusing.
  • Seeing a dentist in America and Canada is similar - both systems are private.
• Patient outcomes in oral health
• • Poor oral health outcomes may not be as obvious.
  • • Issues with eating
  • Look beyond just the mouth and consider the impact of oral health to overall health.

[19:51 – 17:29] Final Thoughts

• We are launching our new book – Oral Health and Aging!
• Connect with Dr. Christie Hogue – leave a review and comment (links below)

Key Quotes:

“Individuals who have dysphagia or swallowing impairment may go on to develop aspiration pneumonia.” - Rebecca H. Affoo

“It [oral care] doesn't stop at the mouth, we have to remember that it also includes a person's ability to nourish themselves and to maintain their health, as well as to eat and drink without potentially developing aspiration pneumonia.” - Rebecca H. Affoo

“I think that the outcomes associated with poor oral health may not be as obvious as one may think.” - Rebecca H. Affoo

Reference:

Oral Health and Aging

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