The World Health Organisation has highlighted the paucity of research into the oral health needs of older adults. The Health Research Board has recognised this and have funded a number of studies in recent years addressing this topic. Unfortunately there is a delay between the completion of studies and the publication of results in scientific journals. There is a further delay between the publication of the article and access of this information by dentists. Even after dentists have heard the results of studies it can be challenging to convince them to change their routine clinical practice. This award will fund three open-access publications to speed up the publication process and to widen the availability of the findings of our research into the oral healthcare of older adults. It will also fund an information day for general dentists to attend. This will include lectures on the best evidence for treating older adults in dental practice and in nursing homes. There will be a hands-on course to show dentists how treatment can be delivered to older adults in the dental surgery, in nursing homes, or in their own homes. A plain language summary booklet entitled “Oral Health for Older Adults” will also be provided to bodies such as Age Action Ireland and Nursing Homes Ireland and will be available in the waiting rooms of general dentists throughout Ireland.
