Older Adult Dental Program

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Guided by the New Hanover County Master Aging Plan, the Health and Human Services Department and the Senior Resource Center jointly launched a new dental program aimed at providing access to comprehensive dental care for low-income residents aged 55 and older who do not have dental insurance. The program was built to bridge a gap in older adult health services that had not previously existed. Services were designed to enhance and improve health care by providing comprehensive oral health care that is accessible and available within the community through the use of mobile and fixed dental clinics to serve the oral health needs of those 55 years and older. Clinics are held three days per week in a variety of settings in New Hanover County. During the first six months of operations, outcomes far exceeded expectations. Nearly 2,000 services were provided to 258 patients who otherwise would not have been able to afford dental health services. Services included diagnostic, preventive, restorative, periodontal, endodontic, oral surgery, and removable prosthetics.