Senior Citizens: Free Dental Screening Clinic

ATTLEBORO -- A free dental screening clinic for senior citizens will be held in Attleboro on Saturday, May 7 from 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Rev. Larsen Senior Center, 25 South Main Street in Attleboro. To schedule your free appointment at the screening, call the Attleboro Council on Aging at (774) 203-1906. Appointments are open to any older adult, age 60 or over, from any town.

At the free screening clinic, participants will receive a dental screening exam and have the opportunity to discuss the findings with the dentist in the clinic’s relaxed, friendly setting. Dentists from our area, including Dr. Donald Pierce, have volunteered to examine patients for problems with their teeth, gums, and dentures. Participants will also be screened for oral cancers and have the opportunity to receive free denture cleaning and labeling provided by students from the Massasoit Community College’s Dental Assisting. Students will also offer tips and answer questions about good oral hygiene. All students are under the supervision of their instructor as they participate in the screening clinic.

Nutritional information will be provided about food choices to those experiencing chewing problems, dry mouth, medication interactions, and other concerns.

“More than three-quarters of older adults in Massachusetts don’t have dental insurance,” explains Dr. Donald Pierce, a North Attleboro dentist and planning committee co-chair. “Many of the seniors who attended the free screening clinic haven’t been to a dentist in a while, so they have concerns they want to discuss. At the screening clinic we take time to talk with them and answer their questions.”

It is the mission of the Elder Dental Program to support oral health prevention and education for seniors. Studies have shown that lack of oral health care can lead to serious overall health care risks. According to the CDC, recent studies link oral infections with diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Most oral diseases are preventable. During the screening which is open to any older adult from any town, participants can also learn more about the Elder Dental Program, which helps low income seniors to access local dental services provided at reduced fees based on a sliding scale.

The free dental screening clinic is organized by the Elder Dental Program, a project of Community VNA. The Free Dental Screening clinic has been underwritten by a grant from the Attleboro Rotary Club and is funded in part by a grant from Bristol Elder Services, Inc. through contracts with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs and by a grant from United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton.