00:00Treading the halls with a tray of tricks.
00:07Hello Arlene.
00:09It's getting harder for Arlene Freeland to look after her teeth.
00:14I try my best and some days it's not good enough really.
00:19So it twists like that.
00:21A dental therapist is showing nursing home residents and staff
00:25how to properly do daily preventative care.
00:28And it cleans the outside, the inside and the top of the teeth all at once.
00:34But this facility near Brisbane is a rarity.
00:37Most don't have the cash for such a service.
00:40Oral health hasn't rated.
00:43Amina Shipp has spent years pushing for better aged care in her mother's name.
00:49She says when Maria moved into a home staff told her not to bother bringing her dentures.
00:55So that was when the issues started with the sores on the gums which led to infections and pain.
01:04The 98 year old lost her enjoyment of eating and more than 20 kilos dying in 2019.
01:12While there's been an aged care royal commission and policy change in the years since, advocates say mouths deserve more attention.
01:21We need money across Australia for dentally led training for health workers and carers in how to do best practice oral health care.
01:32And there's been no commitment to a publicly funded dental scheme for seniors recommended four years ago.
01:39We need to introduce a seniors dental benefit scheme that ensures that whether you live in the community or in residential care,
01:45you can afford and get the oral health care that you need.
01:48One survey found 54% of older Australians either hesitate in getting dental treatment or can't afford it at all.
01:57But reform of the nation's dental system remains elusive.
02:01Take dental care seriously. It is important in terms of the general health of the community.
02:06Take a look, buddy!
02:07Take a look.
02:08And then everybody, very interesting.
02:09See you then.
02:10Bye!
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