The Ohio State University Geriatric Dentistry Program

Appalachian Outreach Project
A Partnership of AAA7 and the Ohio State University

In the summer of 2000, Dr. Abdel Mohammad, Director of the Geriatric Dentistry Program at The Ohio State University contacted Pamela Matura, Executive Director of Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. (AAA7) with an idea to begin to address the oral health needs for older adults residing in Appalachia Ohio. He became aware of this issue after reading several articles in the Columbus Dispatch concerning the southern and eastern counties in the state that are designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission as “Appalachia.” The Appalachian Ohio region is identified by high unemployment, high poverty rates, substandard housing, lack of infrastructure and technology, and poor access to medical care, including dental services. The high dependence on tobacco as a market crop supports widespread usage that greatly impacts the oral health of many individuals.

AAA7 has funded the OSU Geriatric Dental Program on a yearly basis to provide dental service throughout the region on a twice-monthly basis. Senior year dental students, under the close supervision of Dr. Mohammad or Dr. David Hall, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dentistry and Faculty Member of the Clinical Geriatric Dentistry Program, perform a wide range of dental services, including oral examinations, cleaning, filling, extractions, and denture relining and repair. They have traveled to Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton counties to provide on-site dental care and have provided more extensive dental care for some clients at the OSU Geriatric Dental Clinic in Columbus. The average level of participation is 300 individuals per year. The clinic is set up in a location convenient to older adults meeting all accessibility criteria. The location is often in the local senior center, senior housing complex or congregate nutrition site, such as the University of Rio Grande. Mobile dental equipment is transported from OSU by van. They utilize the latest in portable dental equipment and processes. We have had numerous letters and comments from satisfied customers who would not otherwise have access to dental care due a lack of dentists in their respective areas and/or the cost of needed dental work.

In addition to the mobile dental service, the Appalachian Geriatric Dentistry Program has access to the OSU Geriatric Clinic at the OSU College of Dentistry to handle more difficult dental issues for the clients. This service is based on a sliding-fee scale. Transportation to the clinic is arranged through the aging network or individuals transport themselves.

In 2001, Dr. Mohammad and the OSU Geriatric Dentistry Program received the Ohio Association of Area Agency on Aging (O4A) Partnership Award. This award is given during the O4A Annual Fall Conference after being determined by the O4A Board of Directors. The award exemplifies team efforts that lead to significant improvements in the quality of life for older Ohioans. The program was the recipient of the American Dentistry Association 2006 Geriatric Oral Healthcare Award.

For information about when the dental clinic will be in your county, contact Kristy Bowman at 800-582-7277, extension 250.

For more information on the program, you may contact:

Nina R. Keller, MSW, LSW
Assistant Director/Director of Planning & Program Development
Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc.
1-800-582-7277, ex. 201
nkeller@aaa7.org

Dr. Abdel Rahim Mohammad, DDS, MS, MPH, FAAOM, FACD
Director of Community Outreach and Engagement Programs
Professor of Geriatric Dentistry and Oral Medicine
Director of Geriatric Dental Program and Tobacco Cessation Clinic
The Ohio State University College of Dentistry
Columbus, Ohio
1-614-292-1001
mohammad.6@osu.edu

OSU APPALACHIAN GERIATRIC DENTAL PROGRAM