Monash Memo - articles - 21 November 2001

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From left: PSAV¹s Mr Bob Ashton, Pharmacy College dean Professor Colin Chapman, Ms Annette Pritchard from the Department of Human Services (Victoria), Mr Matt Viney, Mr Paul Loughran and Professor Clive Wright from Dental Health Services Victoria.

PharmaCE website improves oral health online

Health professionals will have immediate online access to new developments in health issues for older Australians through an innovative website.

Launched recently by the Victorian College of Pharmacy, the 'Improving oral health for older people' online project identifies ways to help carers and older people achieve better oral health.

The program, hosted on the college's education website at www.PharmaCE.vic.edu.au, was launched by MP and parliamentary secretary for Human Services Mr Matt Viney at the Seventh Pharmacy Australia Congress in Melbourne last month.

The project targets allied health professionals, especially those in remote and isolated communities, and carers working in aged care facilities.

Director of the college's Centre for Continuing Education Mr Paul Loughran told the congress that dental treatment for people aged over 55 years cost $520 million in Australia each year.

He said that although older people were keeping their teeth longer, the prevalence and severity of gum disease increased with age.

"Problems with teeth, gum and dentures impact adversely on the nutritional status and general health and well-being of older people," Mr Loughran said.

"Improvements in the oral health of an older person will result in an improvement to their general health.

"This program offers an interactive experience that will particularly benefit those health professionals who service remote and isolated communities that have experienced a reduction in health services."

The program is being run in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Victorian branch), Dental Health Services Victoria, the Australian Nursing Homes and Extended Care Association, and the Department of Human Services (Victoria).