NOTE: This pilot project ended March 26, 2014 - help us spread the word and move from this pilot project to national initiative!

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Click here to read the Take the Bite out of Elder Abuse D.E.A.R Brochure

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Did you know…

Did you know that as we age our dental health becomes even more important and yet many older adults suffer terrible abuse and neglect related to oral hygiene?

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Poor or neglected oral health can be a form of elder abuse and it is a serious issue. Dental elder abuse can cause pain, suffering, and illness for the older person. It can even lead to cases of preventable death.

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How does Dental Elder Abuse Response (D.E.A.R.) Project help?

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The Dental Elder Abuse Response (D.E.A.R.) Project is a joint pilot project of Archer Dental (West Toronto), the Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL), and the National Initiative for Care of the Elderly (Dental Theme Team). D.E.A.R. is funded through a small community-based grant from the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) - Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

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This project is creating the first materials in Canada which link dentists, caregivers and older adults together on issues of abuse and neglect. Working with dentists, hygienists, seniors, caregivers and community organizations, the D.E.A.R. Project is “Taking the Bite out of Elder Abuse”. Its senior peer-trained workshops, online videos, helpful brochures and checklists provide practical, evidence-based and expert hands-on material to recognize and prevent dental elder abuse and neglect.  These materials also help to start the conversation about advance care planning related to dental issues.

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Following is a link to an article on the DEAR project recently posted by the Oral Health Journal

http://blogohj.oralhealthjournal.com/clinical/medical-news/new-dental-project-fights-elder-abuse

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How can you help?

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• Become a peer-trainer, watch our short online videos, schedule a workshop, and order our free brochures and checklists!

• Become a member of the NICE Network’s Dental Theme Team

• Join us on Twitter or Facebook for project updates and to share your ideas 

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Contact Allison Calcutt, Communications Coordinator and Project Manager at the D.E.A.R. Project/Archer Dental, via email at allison.calcutt@gmail.com to learn more.