KDA Today
KDA Today
For Immediate Release
Date: Apr 6th, 2012
Contact: Dr. Robert Henry
Phone: 800-292-1855
Email: info@kyda.org
The "New Old" Still have Teeth
The number of older Americans will continue to rise well into the next century…
According to the Census Bureau, the numbers of persons in the United States over age 65 will more than double between now and the year 2050. Currently, the older population (65+) numbers 40.4 million, representing over 1 person in every eight, or 13.1% of the U.S. population. By 2050, as many as 1 in 5 Americans, will be elders growing to 80 million strong, mainly as a result of the “baby boomer” generation reaching 65. In fact, because of the boomers (those born after the World War II veterans came home classified as births from years 1946 to 1964) the fastest growth rate of elders of all time will occur between 2010 and 2030 when the number of elders will grow by an average of 2.8 percent annually, compared to annual growth rates of 1.3 percent during the preceding 20 years. (1)
…especially for the oldest old.
The “oldest old” – those aged 85 and over—are the most rapidly growing elderly age group. In 1994, the oldest old numbered 3 million, making up only 10 percent of older Americans, and just over 1 percent of the total U.S. population. With the arrival of the baby boom generation, it is expected that the oldest old will number 19 million in 2050, which would make up 24 percent of elderly Americans and 5 percent of all Americans. (2)
We’re living longer.
When the United States was founded in 1776, life expectancy at birth stood at only 35 years. It reached 47 years in 1900, and jumped to 68 years in 1950. Since then, the life expectancy has steadily risen to 76 years in 1991. In 1991, life expectancy was higher for women (79 years) than for men (72 years). In 2009, a child born could expect to live to 78.2 years, about 30 years longer than a child born in 1900. In 2009, persons reaching age 65 had an average life expectancy of an additional 18.8 years (20.0 years for females and 17.3 years for males). Despite the continued increase in life expectancy in the U.S., some research has suggested that life expectancy may decrease in the future primarily due to past smoking and current obesity levels, especially for women age 50 and over. (1,2)
What does the growth of older adults mean to dentistry?
As a baby boomer myself, I have been a part of the explosion that is shaping not only our communities but our profession. The “new” older adult patient today and in the future, will not only be better educated, but strive to be healthier longer, and will more likely be better off economically. This translates to many elder patients reading and asking about dental concerns previously reserved to professional journals but now readily available on the internet. Similarly, the likelihood of older patients, coming to see us with multiple, chronic, or debilitating medical conditions and asking for implants, veneers, or crowns as they wait, will drive our profession to improve our technology and our science. Having elders as our patients who are able to financially afford any treatment they choose will challenge us to keep up with the ever expanding advancements in our field, and to communicate why certain treatment options are indicated in specific circumstances, or to risk losing our patients to the practitioner who can and does.
What this issue has to offer…
I have asked two of my colleagues to contribute to this issue. Dr. Don Falace, Professor and Former Division Chief of Oral Diagnosis, Oral Medicine, and Oral Radiology at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, has co-authored with me an article on the “Myths and Realities of Aging”, based on a lecture Dr. Falace gave at the American Academy of Oral Medicine Meeting held in 2009. Dr. Pam Stein, Associate Professor, in the Department of Public Health and current Course Director for Geriatric Dentistry and winner of the Great Teacher Award in 2011 at the University Of Kentucky College Of Dentistry, has contributed an article: “Older Adults, Chronic Disease, and Oral Health: What’s the connection?”, which focuses on the relationship between the mouth and chronic disease and the rest of the body
…is a review and update on the older adult.
Thanks to Dr. John Thompson for asking me to write the editorial for this issue. If it wasn’t for his asking, I wouldn’t have stopped to reflect that I am now one of the official “old-time” dentists” myself, having celebrated our class graduation from dental school 30 years ago (1981). I thank you the readers, who continue to strive for excellence in this profession, by being members of organized dentistry, for attending meetings, and for keeping up with your professional education. Whether by
reading articles, or attending courses, our responsibility for learning and improving is never done. Finally, I thank my patients who have given me the privilege to practice on them. I hope that all of you, who are reading this, truly enjoy practicing dentistry on your older patients as much as I have. Finally, I also hope that you will find something interesting or that you can use in this issue, and that if you have something you would like to add or comment on, please do so by contacting me at the following e-mail. Remember, May is Older American’s Month. This year the theme is “Never too Old to Play”! Have fun seeing your older patients!
Sincerely,
Dr. Bob Henry
Robert.henry@va.gov
1) A Profile of Older Americans: 2011 Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging. 1-5.
2) Sixty-Five Plus in the United States: Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. On-line accession. Last Revised: October 31, 2011: file://E:/Sixty-Five Plus in the United States.htm
Press Releases
Click on any title below to read the press release. The release will open up in a new browser window with no menus or images, so that you may print or copy the press release without extraneous graphics.
Aug 14th, 2015 | First, Do No Harm? |
Aug 14th, 2015 | Can You Hear Me, Now? |
Aug 14th, 2015 | Calling ALL Members and Non-Members: We Need Organized Dentistry! |
Aug 14th, 2015 | A Plan for Our Future, and a New Mission Statement…Helping Member Dentists Succeed and Serve |
Jun 23rd, 2015 | Our new KDA Mission: Helping Member Dentists Succeed and Serve |
Jun 23rd, 2015 | We’ve got a Plan! |
Jun 23rd, 2015 | Irrelevance |
Jun 23rd, 2015 | My Introduction: A Smidge of Trepidation, Overwhelmingly Full of Pride and Anticipation |
Jun 23rd, 2015 | Part II: The KDA’s Dental Access Summit – A Report |
Jun 18th, 2015 | Medicare Part D: Q&A; - American Dental Association - May 29, 2015 |
Apr 28th, 2015 | Thank You for the Opportunity |
Apr 28th, 2015 | Ask not What Your KDA Can Do for you… |
Apr 28th, 2015 | The View from “No Man’s Land” |
Apr 28th, 2015 | KDA’S Dental Access Summit Saturday, January 31, 2015 Report to KDA Part I |
Feb 20th, 2015 | Into the Belly of the Beast |
Feb 20th, 2015 | For the Record |
Feb 20th, 2015 | It’s all about the membership in 2015! |
Feb 20th, 2015 | Think Big! |
Dec 29th, 2014 | Things are Moving Faster than Fast! |
Dec 29th, 2014 | Who Wouldn’t Want to Be a Part of This? |
Dec 29th, 2014 | When Is the Right Time? |
Oct 24th, 2014 | Dental Insurance Direct Deposit Through A Virtual Credit Card; What Does It Cost Me? |
Oct 21st, 2014 | Who Can I Hire for $100 a Month? |
Oct 21st, 2014 | Last Call |
Oct 21st, 2014 | I’m here to Help |
Oct 21st, 2014 | Get passionate! This is Our Profession! |
Oct 21st, 2014 | Postscript for an Editor’s Passing |
Oct 21st, 2014 | “…and he did what?!”: Giving a Professional Second Opinion |
Aug 21st, 2014 | KENTUCKY HEALTH NOW: The GOALS of our GOVERNOR |
Aug 21st, 2014 | Synergy |
Aug 21st, 2014 | Nobody Goes Into Dentistry Because They Love Molars! |
Aug 21st, 2014 | Your KDA is Working Hard for You! |
Jun 16th, 2014 | Think Big. Think Positively. Think Proactively. |
Jun 16th, 2014 | Denigration |
Jun 16th, 2014 | YOU HAD TO BE THERE! |
Jun 16th, 2014 | New Friendships and Lasting Connections Creating a Stronger Interest in Organized Dentistry |
Jun 16th, 2014 | New Friendships and Lasting Connections Creating a Stronger Interest in Organized Dentistry |
Apr 24th, 2014 | I Only Have A Loose Screw! |
Apr 24th, 2014 | Dare to Dream! |
Apr 24th, 2014 | I am the KDA! You are the KDA! WE are the KDA! |
Apr 24th, 2014 | The Dentist’s Guide to Social Media Marketing |
Feb 20th, 2014 | Where Do We Go From Here? |
Feb 20th, 2014 | Medicaid: An Example of Missing the Goals for Oral Health in Kentucky |
Feb 20th, 2014 | UKCD’s First Regional Dental Program: The First Ten Years |
Feb 20th, 2014 | UofL Brightening the Smiles of Children |
Feb 20th, 2014 | Go Tell It on the Mountains |
Dec 23rd, 2013 | It Is What They Left Behind |
Dec 23rd, 2013 | Letting the Secret Out |
Dec 23rd, 2013 | Dr. John Thompson Awarded Distinguished Editor Award |
Dec 23rd, 2013 | Teamwork Creates Champions: the Kentucky Meeting: March 13-16, 2014 |
Dec 23rd, 2013 | Listen to Interviews with our Speakers! |
Dec 23rd, 2013 | Welcome Dental Students and New Dentists! |
Dec 23rd, 2013 | 2014 Kentucky Meeting Details |
Oct 17th, 2013 | I Still Like Maps! |
Oct 17th, 2013 | Ground Game |
Oct 17th, 2013 | Kentucky Department of Insurance, HB 497 and Non-covered Services |
Oct 17th, 2013 | Dr. Janet Faraci Lee’s Legacy |
Oct 17th, 2013 | Dr. Janet Faraci Lee Leadership Development Award |
Aug 12th, 2013 | The Affordable Care Act: What does it mean for Our Members? |
Aug 12th, 2013 | All Membership Is Local |
Aug 12th, 2013 | White Crosses |
Aug 12th, 2013 | KDA Membership…Where Do We Go from Here? |
Aug 12th, 2013 | Thoughts from a New Dentist: the Top Three Reasons that I am Involved with Organized Dentistry |
Aug 12th, 2013 | How can KDAIS Benefit You, as a KDA member? |
Aug 12th, 2013 | Beyond the Website: Marketing on the Modern Web |
Aug 12th, 2013 | Delinquent Accounts….Collections…..YUCK! |
Aug 12th, 2013 | Every Patient Matters. So Does Every Transaction. |
Jun 13th, 2013 | The Foundation of the Kentucky Dental Association: Positioned to Make a Powerful Statement |
Jun 13th, 2013 | Something I Wish I Didn't Know! |
Jun 13th, 2013 | Preaching to the Choir |
Apr 15th, 2013 | United We Stand, Divided We Fall |
Apr 15th, 2013 | So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu |
Apr 15th, 2013 | Exchange What? |
Apr 15th, 2013 | The Pediatric Dental Benefit: Must Offer, May Purchase… |
Apr 15th, 2013 | Participate in Your KDPAC! Contribute and Deliver |
Feb 12th, 2013 | It’s a Dentist Thing |
Feb 12th, 2013 | A Profession in Flux |
Feb 12th, 2013 | Living Is What You Do When Life Gets In the Way |
Feb 12th, 2013 | The Tip of the Iceberg: Actions by the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services Which May Sink KMAP |
Oct 19th, 2012 | House Bill 1 and What It Means to You |
Oct 19th, 2012 | Membership Matters |
Oct 19th, 2012 | Self-Regulation |
Aug 21st, 2012 | Sarrell Dental: Beyond the Operatory |
Aug 21st, 2012 | The Perception of Dentistry |
Jun 18th, 2012 | What Part of the “Affordable Care Act” Has Been Affordable? |
Jun 18th, 2012 | Leadership or Politics? |
Jun 18th, 2012 | I Had an Uncle… |
Apr 6th, 2012 | The "New Old" Still have Teeth |
Apr 6th, 2012 | What a Year, so far! |
Apr 6th, 2012 | Many Thanks for a Great and Memorable Year |
Feb 21st, 2012 | Happy New Normal |
Feb 21st, 2012 | All for One and One for All! |
Dec 19th, 2011 | The Wide World of Sports |
Dec 19th, 2011 | Access to Care? |
Oct 28th, 2011 | To the KDA Executive Board and the entire KDA |
Oct 28th, 2011 | Report of the Sixth District Trustee |
Oct 18th, 2011 | Managed Care and Dentistry in Kentucky: a Dentist’s Dilemma |
Oct 18th, 2011 | Word-of-Mouth on Steroids! |
Oct 18th, 2011 | Why We Shouldn't Lose Sight of Our Purpose... |
Aug 4th, 2011 | Mentor a Young Dentist and Change a Life |
Aug 4th, 2011 | OMG, what is EBD? |
Aug 4th, 2011 | CAPWIZ: Legislative Advocacy Made Easy |
Jun 13th, 2011 | Outside Our Line |
Jun 13th, 2011 | I Might Soon Be Coming to a Town Near You... |
Apr 18th, 2011 | Let Me Ask For a Minute of Your Time |
Apr 18th, 2011 | I Pledge to Be your Humble Servant… |
Apr 18th, 2011 | Blindsided |
Apr 18th, 2011 | On Your Side, Not Your List |
Feb 17th, 2011 | Dr. Andy Elliott for President-elect of the American Dental Association |
Feb 4th, 2011 | Adjusting Attitudes |
Feb 4th, 2011 | A Little Planning Really Helps |
Jan 4th, 2011 | Dental Management of Patients Taking Antiplatelet Medications |
Nov 30th, 2010 | Dental Education Found Worthy |
Nov 30th, 2010 | Delegates Report from the 2010 American Dental Association House of Delegates, Orlando, Florida |
Nov 30th, 2010 | Holiday Greetings to All |
Oct 25th, 2010 | Delegates Report from the 2010 American Dental Association House of Delegates, Orlando, Florida |
Oct 7th, 2010 | What If …? |
Oct 7th, 2010 | What Happens in Alaska, doesn’t Stay in Alaska |
Oct 7th, 2010 | We Need To Do a Better Job of Communicating |
Oct 7th, 2010 | I’m in a Hurry! |
Oct 7th, 2010 | Who Will Speak for Me? |
Aug 6th, 2010 | Kentucky's Dental Practice Act: The Passing of an Old Friend |
Aug 6th, 2010 | The Times They Are Changing |
Jun 10th, 2010 | How a Star was Born |
Jun 10th, 2010 | I Need Your Help… |
Apr 20th, 2010 | President's Message MA 2010 |
Apr 20th, 2010 | KDA and Louisville Water Company Share 150th Birthday and Public Health Vision |
Apr 20th, 2010 | Getting It Right! |
Feb 25th, 2010 | Please Join Us for an Exciting, Event-Filled Year Ahead! |
Feb 25th, 2010 | What is a Legacy? |
Dec 14th, 2009 | There is Hope: Suicide Awareness and Prevention in Kentucky |
Dec 14th, 2009 | Challenging the Myth of the Suicide-Prone Dentist |
Dec 14th, 2009 | Holiday Reflections… |
Nov 6th, 2009 | Don’t Balance Health Care Books by Shortchanging Physicians |
Nov 6th, 2009 | Break your Right Arm and Suddenly You have Time to Study Economics. |
Jun 26th, 2009 | Making the World a Better Place, One Village at a Time! |
Apr 13th, 2009 | Breaking Glass |
Feb 20th, 2009 | At the Heart of any Worthy Project is a Committed Volunteer |