Healthy Aging Starts with Strong Vision and Oral Health

As communities observe Older Americans Month, Delta Dental and DeltaVision experts urge older adults to prioritize two often-overlooked pillars of healthy aging: dental and vision care. Routine exams help maintain independence, detect chronic disease earlier and support overall well-being.

“Dental exams are one of the most effective ways to spot early signs of systemic disease,” said Nevin Mathai, DMD, dental director at Delta Dental of South Carolina. “Inflammation, infection and changes in oral tissue can raise red flags for conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease before more serious symptoms appear. Preventive care allows providers to intervene sooner and reduce complications that can affect long-term health and quality of life.”

Comprehensive eye exams offer similar benefits, with research showing they can reveal early indicators of more than 270 chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and autoimmune disorders.

“Eye exams are a powerful preventive care tool,” said John Lahr, O.D., FAAO, senior medical director at EyeMed, administrator for DeltaVision’s EyeMed℠ Insight network. “For many older adults, an eye doctor is the health care provider they see most consistently, making vision care a cornerstone of healthy aging.”

Untreated vision and dental issues can impact more than physical health. Poor eyesight or chronic dental pain can limit mobility, affect nutrition and increase social isolation—factors closely linked to mental health and overall quality of life for older adults.

Affordable dental and vision coverage helps older Americans stay on top of preventive care. Those without dental benefits can use Delta Dental of South Carolina’s 2026 Dental Resource Guide at deltadentalsc.com/resourceguide to find low-cost and free care options.

About Delta Dental of South Carolina  

Delta Dental of South Carolina is a trade name of Delta Dental of Missouri, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and leading dental benefits provider, which operates in South Carolina under that name. As a nonprofit, its mission is to improve overall health and well-being in the communities it serves. It provides more than 411,000 members in South Carolina with access to affordable, high-quality dental care through group plans tailored to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes, from large corporations to small businesses with two or more employees. Delta Dental also offers dental benefit plans directly to individuals and families. It also provides access to affordable, high-quality vision care through group vision benefit plans. The company proudly supports oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes that help educate people about the importance of dental health and provide free dental care to those in need. Delta Dental of South Carolina also created the South Carolina Dental Care Resource Guide to help individuals access information about low-cost and free dental care options in their area—available online at deltadentalsc.com/resourceguide. To learn more about the company, visit DeltaDentalSC.com.

DeltaVision® is underwritten by Delta Dental of Missouri, doing business as Delta Dental of South Carolina, utilizing the EyeMed Vision Care Insight network. EyeMed Vision Care® is a registered trademark of EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Delta Dental and DeltaVision are registered trademarks of the Delta Dental Plans Association.