The state of oral health care in Australia’s residential aged care facilities is a pressing issue that touches the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens. With significant gaps in access and care, the industry faces challenges that contribute to preventable health complications among aged care residents.
A study published this week in the Medical Journal of Australia1 sheds light on the harsh realities of oral health for aged care residents between 2016 and 2020. It highlights the urgent need for change and offers data-driven insights into a problem we can no longer ignore.
The Current State of Oral Health Care in Aged Care
1 in 5 (19.6%) Australian aged care residents have reported issues related to oral health, such as tooth loss, dental cavities, periodontal disease, or gingivitis. Despite high levels of need, access to routine dental care remains strikingly limited.
From 2016 to 2020, only 0.18% of residents utilised Medicare-subsidised dental services, and alarmingly, 2% of aged care residents were hospitalised for dental or oral health issues, with almost half of these admissions deemed potentially preventable.
The connection between neglected oral health and other adverse health outcomes is well established. Poor oral care has been linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and pneumonia—a heavy toll on well-being, dignity, and quality of life in later years.
The Barriers Residents Face
Efforts to address these challenges have been hampered by several systemic and practical barriers, including:
- High cost, limited access: Dental services are often unaffordable or inaccessible to many aged care residents, particularly those who cannot afford private care.
- Workforce in residential aged care: High staff turnover and inadequate oral health education for aged care staff and carers contribute to inconsistent care delivery.
- Fragmented systems: Poor integration between oral health care providers and residential aged care creates further challenges in ensuring continuity of care.
Why Reform Is Essential
The issue of oral health in residential aged care goes far beyond dentistry—it’s about health equity and the right to age with dignity. In our opinion, addressing these gaps is not just a policy imperative but a moral responsibility.
The findings from the study reaffirm the urgency of the recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which called for improved access to oral health practitioners and greater focus on preventative care. Yet, meaningful change has been slow despite these calls to action.
What Can Be Done
Our recent experience enhancing medical care and evaluating mental health care in aged care facilities, and the MJA article, inform this section.
1. Implement Multidisciplinary Oral Health Care Teams
The Sydney Local Health District’s Inner West Oral Health Program (Reach-OHT) demonstrates the power of collaboration. The program funds multidisciplinary outreach teams to provide assessments and treatments in aged care facilities. This has reduced preventable hospitalisations and ensured residents receive timely, preventative care.
2. Enhance Staff Training
Empowering aged care staff with foundational oral health training is one key to improving day-to-day care. However there is much pull on their time. What we would like to see is an integrated suite of healthcare training for residenital aged care staff that enables them to notice when residents need help and support the work of clinicians. Online training should be considred given the high turnover of aged care staff at present.
3. Expand Access Through National Programs
In 2021, the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended the government establish a seniors dental scheme to help subsidise care for low-income residents. This is yet to occur. Public funding for mobile dental clinics that visit aged care homes is another promising solution.
4. Strengthen Policy and Governance
Future policies should prioritise integrating oral health into aged care. Ensuring funding, workforce training, and oversight aligns with the National Oral Health Plan is vital.
A Path Forward
The oral health crisis in aged care is preventable.
Ensuring the oral health of aged care residents isn’t just about filling cavities—it’s about restoring dignity, health, and access to care they deserve. Reforming the system is not only achievable but essential for supporting ageing Australians to thrive in their golden years.
What impact will you make?
At Larter, we’re committed to partnering with clients to codesign and evaluate innovative solutions that improve health outcomes for older Australians.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can work together to better integrate health care in aged care, and improve the health of older Australians.
- Gillian E Caughey, Tracy Air, Miia Rahja and Maria C InacioMed J Aust 2025; The oral health care needs of people living in residential aged care, Australia, 2016–20: a retrospective cross-sectional study. 222 (6): 318-320. || doi: 10.5694/mja2.52625 Published online: 7 April 2025